Soldier Suicide: what would be a Solution to You as our Military Men and Woman? What is needed most? I want to listen to your ideas.

Cassie M. — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:30:25 -0400

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Jun 6 at 2016 9:34 AM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:34:45 -0400

There's so much to go into. Better communication with our brothers and sisters, better medical treatment and diagnosis for PTSD, establish local support groups for veterans, etc.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 6 at 2016 9:46 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:46:15 -0400

They need someone who they trust to tell them what the right thing to do is.

Response by Christopher Saint made Jun 6 at 2016 10:19 AM

Christopher Saint — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:19:43 -0400

I think training for a close individual, spouse, parent, sibling, close friend. Someone who can be taught the signs to look for.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 6 at 2016 10:38 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:38:03 -0400

Cassie M. Understanding is key. Presentation and passion in the delivery of the message. As I begin to look for employment moving on from the Military I look to help with this message.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 6 at 2016 10:42 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:42:01 -0400

(SUMMARY)
1. Closer support especially with the families.
2. Decentralized help in their locality.
3. Finding the right person as a confidant.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 6 at 2016 10:54 AM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 10:54:29 -0400

They need continued care.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 12:37 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:37:02 -0400

Just provide more support outside the military. Provide training and understanding for civilians to recognize and support those who have PTSD, have them watch for the signs of PTSD episodes. The more education that is provided, the better there is for both the SM/Vet and the community (work, family, friends, etc.)

Make more SM understand the symptoms, assist in ways for the one with PTSD isn't lost or alone. Enough with the posters, we know there are Vets/SMs out there with PTSD (my old RDC suffers from it), establish some education or training on how to help when an episode happens (whether its a panic attack, breakdown,etc.)

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 12:51 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:51:37 -0400

Top three issues for suicide: 1. Lack of connection 2. Change or loss 3. Severe emotional pain
A solution is creating ways to increase connection, adapt to change or loss, and how to ease and reduce emotional pain.
I believe Healing Retreats are very productive especially if they are facilitated by non - governmental organizations. Resiliency Skills are valuable for everyone to learn. Guiding people to Volunteer Organizations to lend a hand will increase connection and reduce emotional pain.

Response by PO2 Kevin LaCroix made Jun 6 at 2016 12:55 PM

PO2 Kevin LaCroix — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:55:43 -0400

1. De-stigmatize PTSD.
2. Treat PTSD as a medical condition.
3. Training- Train Senior NCO's and Officers to recognize possible symptoms.
4. Follow SM's after separation. Help separated SM's find proper help.
5. Counseling for families prior to and after separation.
6. Funding. Mental health counseling is not cheap. The "Power that Be" need to make this a priority.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 2:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 14:10:03 -0400

First and foremost, if a vet finally gives in to get some help, they cannot drink, period. They need to understand the meds won't work if they continue drinking. Some of the vets are in serious illegal drug activity. That has to stop. It's a huge mountain they have to climb to get fixed. Some stay with the treatment, some drop out. They need direction and they need to trust their group, friends, and their councilors. I've had the same psychologist for about eight years. Before I got her, the psycologogist were changing every six months to a year. Why is this important? Because every time I got a new councilor, I had to tell my story again and again. I almost got burned out and quit. These vets are scared to death. They're out of country on deployment one day and they're on the streets the next. Each person is a seperate entity. No two will have exactly the same reason for PTSD. The treatment has to be enjoyable with friendly staff. You get one bad apple in there who isn't friendly and doesn't want to be there, we can tell they are trying to blow smoke, and the ones who really don't want to be there, will give up for that one reason. At home, their family has to have patience and 100% support. Let them talk and don't blow them off because you don't have time for them. It's very complicated and would take a lot of time to talk about everything I saw that was positive and negative. I've had mine for 50 years. I still have to take it a day at a time.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Jun 6 at 2016 5:47 PM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:47:26 -0400

Diagnosises like spiritual injury And TBA need to be explored further. Both of these have a suicide component. Taking a more holistic approach to depression, anxiety and PTSD would help also. You cannot treat each individual patient with suicidal tendancies the same. People are depressed for very diffrent reasons. The horrors of war are just one aspect. It's how and which value system they feel was violated. TBA and post concussion syndrome are still things non medical personnel do not fjlly understand. it seems like PTSD is the catch all for these signs n symptoms and in some cases it leads down the wrong path. Throwing meds at people will treat symptoms but it won't heal.

https://news.wsu.edu/2014/06/17/ceremonial-ptsd-therapies-favored-by-native-american-veterans/

http://www.suicide.org/concussions-can-lead-to-suicide.html

Ceremonial PTSD therapies favored by Native American veterans | WSU News | Washington State...

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Native American veterans battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder find relief and healing through an alternative treatment called the Sweat Lodge ceremony offered at the Spokane Veterans Administration Hospital.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 6 at 2016 8:10 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:10:45 -0400

Great question!
First let's get straight with what research in repetitive behaviors is learning: Suicide Ideation is a behavior that is controlled an amnesic memory earlier in life. Often in early childhood.

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“We are born with an already established personality. As we age, we become witness to various stimuli that changes the way we look at the world and how we will act and react in it.”

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 6 at 2016 9:11 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:11:15 -0400

I have had 3 major depressive episodes and PTSD. I even put off getting therapy for over a year for my last one until 2013. You can't force someone to get help. However, many are afraid of getting it. There's negative stigma that 'it doesn't help' or 'drug's don't work' or 'they have too many side effects'. Medical and mental treatment of each person isn't that simple. We all respond to drugs, medical treatments, and therapy differently and the same. People who need help, need people who have gone through similar experiences. It may not happen quickly or right away.
Our female Veterans are getting the backlash. They exist. Many might feel that speaking to another woman is scary but speaking to a male veteran is easier. You won't know what works for a person in need until you ask. Even then they won't be as forthcoming with the info.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 10:12 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 10:12:11 -0400

As a Suicide survivor we need to remove the "Stigma" associated with soldiers going to mental health. When I speak at events I always get the same reason why soldier are not seeking help, it will hurt my career and I will loose my clearance which in reality it not true. DOD wants a quick fix to a complex problem that wont be fixed over night.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 24 at 2016 3:28 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 15:28:28 -0400

Repetitive Behavior Cellular Regression™ (CR) stops the driving thoughts without counseling, or therapy, or meds and no office visits...
http://evolutionaryhealer.com/the-cr-process/
During a CR Session we help a client to circumvent normal memory recall by having them use their five senses as descriptors. This way the client is able to arrive at a level of cellular memory. The primary objective of this sequencing model is to neutralize emotions in an event and permanently remove the emotional hold from that specific event. Many patterns of behavior throughout the individual’s life are then neutralized. This creates an environment clean from distracting emotions.

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“We are born with an already established personality. As we age, we become witness to various stimuli that changes the way we look at the world and how we will act and react in it.”

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 7:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 07:47:09 -0400

Now, this wasn't done too good when I was in, I have no idea how it is done now, but judging by how many vets have ptsd, I believe it still isn't done properly. when a soldier leaves, all should receive SOME type of follow on care/consideration/mental health follow up and treatment. The military breaks you down, and rebuilds you as the warrior they need you to be. Now there are MANY types of ptsd. I wonder how many studies are done (if any) on 'the old vs. new' Basic training modules out there now for the armed services. Strict screening must be done at all levels of the military prior to basic. The new/next generation of soldier must be re made. Should earlier modes/models of basic be broght back? Not necessarily. But new modes must be adapted. PTSD has been around forever, but it wasn't known as that even when I was in the army. All levels of NCO's and Officers should understand this and be taught these things from day one of enlistment...