Study: Why soldiers take their own lives

There is hope because they are finally starting to get it. Well, at least some of them are. This is what I've been talking about since the 80's because the experts I learned from studied soldiers and not civilians. This type of PTSD is a whole different story.

Study: Why soldiers take their own lives
WTVD News
February 22, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- A new study published Friday sheds new light on what groups in the military are at higher risk of suicide and why.

Army Research Psychologists James Griffith and Mark Vaitkus looked at years of data collected by the Army National Guard for their findings.

They said white males aged 17 to 24 are at the highest risk - regardless of whether they have been deployed overseas. The researchers said the younger men are at an age when many struggle to define who they are and how they relate to others. They also said men in other ethnic groups often have better support systems through church, family, and community.

The military has struggled to prevent suicide in its ranks. 2012 was the worst year for Army deaths, with 323 soldiers taking their lives.

While the study downplays the link between deployment and suicide, mental health professionals in the community around Fort Bragg say they're increasingly dealing with soldiers who suffer from posttraumatic stress syndrome.

Troops are coming from war zones where they're passing out candy in friendly communities one minute, and losing lives the next.

"They're in an environment where they may leave and come back and there's an IED [improvised explosive device] where they were just handing out these types of things. The fact that people don't really feel like they know who their enemy is, who they can trust, is one reason why this conflict in and out of itself is breeding so much posttraumatic stress disorder," explained psychologist, Christopher Ketchman.
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Operation Safety 91 Tribute to First Responders

It was my pleasure to attend this 5th tribute to our first responders here in Orlando. Ed and Mary Ganster did a fabulous job putting this all together and as always, the Rosen Center Hotel was beautiful.

Operation Safety 91 is about Psalm 91 and those who are willing to risk their lives for all of us everyday.

Psalm 91
King James Version (KJV)
91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

The emcee was WESH2 Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi

Col. Danny McKnight, better known for Black Hawk Down is the National Spokesman for OS91 and he told the story of where he was last year. He was in Afghanistan when a young solider was blown up by an IED. The soldier lost both his legs but his arm was saved.

Jorge Diaz, West Miami Police Officer and author of Your Shield and Buckler talked about being watched over by God's angels and how each of the men and women serving this country were "equipped" to do it from within almost as much as they were equipped with their weapons.


This event was also broadcast to troops serving overseas.

American Tragedy: Military Suicide

SPECIAL REPORT -- American Tragedy: Military Suicide
North Michigan News
Posted: February 21, 2013
Military suicide.

It's a growing problem in the U.S. -- an American tragedy, felt here in Northern Michigan.

A recent study revealed the number of veterans committing suicide each day is on the rise, as they struggle to adjust to civilian life.

In part one of our special report, you'll hear from the family of Eric Harm -- a soldier who took his own life in December, just months after returning home from war.

And in part two, we dig deeper into what the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is doing to help these struggling servicemen.

You'll also meet a Vietnam veteran trying to find peace and meaning in life after war.

9 and 10's Evan Dean and Photojournalist Jake Johnson have it all for you in American Tragedy: Military Suicide.
read more here

Vegas loves veterans

Veterans Village announces Vegas Loves Veterans campaign!
Posted on February 7, 2013
by veteransvillagel
The amount of support that Veterans Village has received since its launch last year is truly amazing. One of the partners that has been integrally involved in ensuring our success to help our veterans in need is The Home Depot Foundation (THDF).

THDF has already done a lot, but the foundation has decided to increase its financial support to benefit the completion of a comprehension renovation for Veterans Village. We are very excited to announce that Fred Wacker, COO of THDF, will join us for a special event on Feb. 14 to award of a significant grant to Veterans Village during a brief ceremony. The event will also include associate volunteers from The Home Depot.
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How can a "expert" on Combat PTSD not understand it?

At first when I read this I thought it was some kind of a joke.

"It's not a medical problem, and it's unclear how to treat it, says retired Col. Elspeth Ritchie, former psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general."

I've studied some of the best experts on Combat PTSD and that's how I found out there are different types of PTSD. One hits civilians and another type hits military and law enforcement. It hits them because they are not just witnessing it and risking their lives to save others, often they are participating in the traumatic event itself. What does Ritchie think was is? If they are coming out with this nonsense after all these years then we will see many, many more suicides when we should be seeing them heal.

WAR ZONE KILLING: VETS FEEL 'ALONE' IN THEIR GUILT
The Big Story
By PAULINE JELINEK
Feb. 22, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) — A veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, former Marine Capt. Timothy Kudo thinks of himself as a killer — and he carries the guilt every day.

"I can't forgive myself," he says. "And the people who can forgive me are dead."

With American troops at war for more than a decade, there's been an unprecedented number of studies into war zone psychology and an evolving understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Clinicians suspect some troops are suffering from what they call "moral injuries" — wounds from having done something, or failed to stop something, that violates their moral code.

Though there may be some overlap in symptoms, moral injuries aren't what most people think of as PTSD, the nightmares and flashbacks of terrifying, life-threatening combat events. A moral injury tortures the conscience; symptoms include deep shame, guilt and rage. It's not a medical problem, and it's unclear how to treat it, says retired Col. Elspeth Ritchie, former psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general.

"The concept ... is more an existentialist one," she says.

The Marines, who prefer to call moral injuries "inner conflict," started a few years ago teaching unit leaders to identify the problem. And the Defense Department has approved funding for a study among Marines at California's Camp Pendleton to test a therapy that doctors hope will ease guilt.
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This is probably why so many go for help and then kill themselves afterwards. They aren't getting the help they need.