PTSD: I was right 25 years ago and still am

The questions is, if I was right 25 years ago after reading what the experts had to say back then, what took these people so long to catch up?

SAGE Publications

How do multiple deployments affect soldiers and their families?

Research published by SAGE in a special issue of Traumatology



The U.S. Military researched that question last year and put together a report, “the Mental Health Advisory Team IV,” that studied soldier mental health and well-being. The current issue of Traumatology, published by SAGE, takes a sobering look at that study, exploring the three most critical elements of the 100-page report:

* The intensity of combat and other stressors of those serving “down range”

* Battlefield ethics

* Results of efforts to prevent suicides



The special issue of the journal features commentaries written by mental health professionals, most of whom are members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces. They each write about aspects of the study’s findings, for example, how early interventions are critical in avoiding stress injuries and subsequent long-term mental health problems, including such things as: posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, family violence and suicide. The commentaries will enable readers to more effectively understand and help the brave combatants and their families return to civilian life with excellent prospects for resilience and post trauma growth.

“What has set these most recent wars apart from the Vietnam War is the enduring appreciation and respect for the men and women in uniform who, despite their personal misgivings, answer the call to serve their country in war,” writes Charles R. Figley, PhD, Traumatology editor. “We as a nation and as mental health professionals owe them and their families the very best help possible for as long as it is needed. I trust that this special issue contributes to that goal.”

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http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfJAN08/nf013108-7.htm

These reports are great but they are not new. Why is it we have not stopped the redeployments knowing this? Why is it we have not made sure they all got treated early? For all they suddenly re-discover, look at all the time lost on what needed to be done to FIX IT ALL!

PTSD: Point Man Ministries showing the way

Group organizing help for veterans
By R. Eric Burdette, News Staff Reporter
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

MOUNT VERNON — Point Man Ministries is organizing a local chapter for Knox and the surrounding counties of Morrow and Coshocton to help veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Veterans of the Army Reserve and the National Guard are seeing PTSD rates as high as 40 percent, said Larry Waltman, spokesman for the newly organized chapter. Typical symptoms for PTSD include anger, insecurity, alcohol or drug abuse, or an inability to adapt with job or family. Because the reserve and guard members return to a civilian life, isolated from other veterans with similar experiences, they are more prone to PTSD symptoms, said Waltman.

He said the highest rates are in returning Army reserve and Army guard combat service support units such as transportation, supply, aviation, medical and military police, among others.
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http://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/08/01/30/ptsd.html

Fort Sill Soldier killed outside bar

Lawton Soldier Killed At Westside Bar
Video High
The shooting happened very late Monday night outside a west Lawton club called Alabis. Lawton police say 27 year old Ira Easterling, was shot after an apparent argument. He was rushed to the hospital in Lawton, but died as he arrived. Captain Will Hines says after an exhaustive investigation a suspect has been identified."Through the investigation we have come up with a suspect. At this time, we don't have the suspect in custody."
Hines says the investigation has revealed the suspect is connected to the army base. "He has some ties to a person in the military. Whether he is a military dependent or not is really unclear at this time."
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http://www.kauz.com/home/ticker/15045931.html

When will they notice us falling into darkness?

When will they notice us falling into darkness?
Army suicides up as much as 20 percent
By PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer 31 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - As many as 121 Army soldiers committed suicide in 2007, a jump of some 20 percent over the year before, officials said Thursday.

The rise comes despite numerous efforts to improve the mental health of a force stressed by a longer-than-expected war in Iraq and the most deadly year yet in the now six-year-old conflict in Afghanistan.

Internal briefing papers prepared by the Army's psychiatry consultant early this month show there were 89 confirmed suicides last year and 32 deaths that are suspected suicides and still under investigation.

More than a quarter of those — about 34 — happened during deployments in Iraq, an increase from 27 in Iraq the previous year, according to the preliminary figures.

The report also shows an increase in the number of attempted suicides and self-injuries — some 2,100 in 2007 compared to less than 1,500 the previous year and less than 500 in 2002.

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Pfc. Eli Mundt Baker non-combat death at Fort Huachuca

Army IDs soldier found dead in barracks
Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Jan 30, 2008 16:10:25 EST

Officials on Wednesday identified the soldier who was found dead in the Warrior Transition Unit barracks at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
Pfc. Eli Mundt Baker, 22, of Foothill Ranch, Calif., was undergoing advanced individual training at Fort Huachuca.
On Monday morning, military police and emergency medical services responded to a 911 call from a noncommissioned officer in the barracks. Baker was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:12 a.m.
The cause of death is still under investigation.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/army_huachucaupdate_080130w/

51 homeless veterans housed at Ignatia House about to be homeless again

Formerly Homeless DC Veterans About to Lose Housing



District Homeless Veteran Program Needs Emergency Assistance



WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fifty-one formerly
homeless veterans who live at Ignatia House on the grounds of the Armed
Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Northwest Washington must find new homes
by the end of next month to make way for a $2 billion redevelopment effort
on the grounds of the current housing site. The men and women of Ignatia
House, some of whom have been living at the House for years while seeking
employment and permanent housing, receive important health care services
from the VA Medical Center which is located across the street.



"Ignatia House helps make the lives of many veterans better," said
Stephanie Buckley, Regional Director of the United States Veterans
Initiative, the national organization that developed the supportive housing
program. "Our house is a community of individuals making progress one day
at a time. We hope there is a way to keep this important program going.
After all, there is such a need in the Washington area for the services we
provide."

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Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside attempts suicide again

Soldier Suicide Attempts Skyrocket
CBS News And Washington Post: Staggering New Army Numbers Show Serious Problem
Comments 389


WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2008

Just one who is part of a staggering rise in suicide attempts by soldiers, Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside was admitted to the psychiatric lockdown ward at Walter Reed Army Medical center after trying to kill herself earlier this week. She had already been nearly court-marshalled for an earlier suicide attempt.

A Soldier's Cry For Help
CBS News first broke the story of the growing epidemic of suicides among army personnel last November. David Martin has one soldier's harrowing story and her struggle to get help. Share/Embed
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Suicide Epidemic Among Veterans
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(CBS) CBS News broke the story of the epidemic of suicides and attempted suicides among veterans in November. And tonight, new Army figures illustrate how serious the problem has become among active military servicemembers. It's part of an exclusive report that will appear in Thursday's Washington Post and on washingtonpost.com. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin has one soldier's harrowing story - and her struggle to get help.

Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside was admitted to the psychiatric lockdown ward at Walter Reed Army Medical center after trying to kill herself earlier this week, Martin reports. "She took two weeks worth of medicines - four different medications... and she took them all at once," her father, Tom Whiteside, said. He holds a note she left, reading in part: "I'm very disappointed with the Army." He says her suicide attempt was brought on by the stress of waiting to find out if she would be court-martialed for an earlier attempt to kill herself. "It became so distressing to my daughter, it just drove her over the edge and, um, she attempted to take her own life," Whiteside said. Lt. Whiteside is the latest in the epidemic of attempted suicides and self-injuries by soldiers.
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WHAT THE HELL ARE WE PUTTING THEM THROUGH AND WHY ARE WE PUTTING THEM THROUGH HELL AT ALL?

PTSD: From Iraq, to college, to prison

Back from Iraq with Plenty of Problems
Paul Miles returned from Iraq needing help with the death in his head. He got prison.
By Craig Malisow
Published: January 17, 2008
The patient came to Brentwood Hospital in handcuffs, escorted by Nacogdoches police. Paul Miles, 22. Something about making bombs and threatening to kill kids. He tested negative for drugs at Nacogdoches Memorial, and his parents had asked if he could be brought here to Brentwood in Shreveport.

During intake, he told the staff, "I have not had thoughts of hurting kids in years."

When he was passed on to Dr. Greg Seal, the treating psychiatrist, Miles was rambling, illogical.

"I don't want the cops to die," he told Seal. "I needed new boots."

Seal got some of the patient's basic background: Five years in the Texas Army National Guard. Spent 2005 in Iraq. No history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. No psychiatric history reported. Currently a student at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Miles and a roommate lived in an off-campus apartment where, about eight hours earlier on this morning of November 20, 2006, police found gunpowder and PVC pipes. Federal agents were combing the place now. Neighbors were evacuated.
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http://news.myspace.com/events/houstonevents/item/14172012

Soldier Found Dead in Car

Soldier Found Dead in Car
Hayat Al-Ghamdi, Arab News

ABHA, 31 January 2008 — A 26-year-old soldier committed suicide by shooting himself while on duty last Friday. The young man in uniform was found dead in his car. His family raised the alarm that he was missing after he failed to return home after night shift. A forensic expert said the death was most likely suicide and that no one else was involved. The soldier’s family said the man might have killed himself as he had a history of drug abuse.
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Non-combat death:Dallas-area soldier dies in Germany

Jan. 30, 2008, 3:02PM
Dallas-area soldier dies in Germany


© 2008 The Associated Press


FRANKFURT, Germany — A memorial service for a U.S. soldier who died in Germany will be held this week, the U.S. Army said Wednesday.

Pfc. David W. Webb, 26, of Duncanville, Texas, was taken to the Leopoldina Hospital in Schweinfurt, Germany, Sunday morning and pronounced dead by German medical authorities, the Army said. The cause of his death was being investigated.

Webb was assigned to the 1-18th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt.

A memorial service will be held at the Ledward Barracks Chapel in Schweinfurt on Thursday. Webb's survivors include his father and sister.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5499478.html