Posted on Jan 20, 2016
Stigma of the 'Damaged Veteran' a Barrier to Treatment
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RP Members and Connections - what are your comments and thoughts on this article? Even though this happened almost a year ago (January 2016) it still is a huge issue for our veterans suffering from PTSD and Mental Illness!
While other families were looking forward to the holidays, Rachel Clinger was awaiting news of her husband, who had disappeared a week before Christmas from his New Jersey military base.
The wait did not last long -- Marine Sgt. Tristan Clinger's body was found days later.
Clinger, she said, had battled depression but feared he would be discharged if he got help. He is not the only one.
Experts who work with both active-duty military and veterans say the stigma of mental illness -- whether combat stress, depression, anxiety or substance abuse -- continues to be an impediment to treatment, often leading to tragic consequences. With over 2.5 million men and women having served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade, plus thousands more currently stationed overseas, experts say it's more critical than ever to make sure those who need it find a pathway out of despair.
While other families were looking forward to the holidays, Rachel Clinger was awaiting news of her husband, who had disappeared a week before Christmas from his New Jersey military base.
The wait did not last long -- Marine Sgt. Tristan Clinger's body was found days later.
Clinger, she said, had battled depression but feared he would be discharged if he got help. He is not the only one.
Experts who work with both active-duty military and veterans say the stigma of mental illness -- whether combat stress, depression, anxiety or substance abuse -- continues to be an impediment to treatment, often leading to tragic consequences. With over 2.5 million men and women having served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade, plus thousands more currently stationed overseas, experts say it's more critical than ever to make sure those who need it find a pathway out of despair.
Stigma of the 'Damaged Veteran' a Barrier to Treatment
Posted from military.com
Depression
Stress
Stigma
Drugs
Suicide
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 15
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It is a sad case but true. I try to explain to friends that haven't served my feelings toward holidays and the celebration of them. I have missed so many due to deployments and training that I have become numb to them and feel out of place during these times of year.
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SGT Robert George
Well try to acclimate yourself to these things you once enjoyed , just a opinion SSG.
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I have three close relatives including one son who has been diagnosed as mentally ill by psychiatrists COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Stigma only sticks to those who care about the opinions of others to a dangerous degree.
All of us have been insulted in our lifetimes - some more than others. For some of us the insults and categorizing simply rolls off our backs while others resent it deeply.
Having a permanent relationship with God through the atonement of Jesus the Christ is incredibly beneficial in every area of life including dealing with stigma.
LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT Robert Hawks SGT Robert George SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM
All of us have been insulted in our lifetimes - some more than others. For some of us the insults and categorizing simply rolls off our backs while others resent it deeply.
Having a permanent relationship with God through the atonement of Jesus the Christ is incredibly beneficial in every area of life including dealing with stigma.
LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT Robert Hawks SGT Robert George SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM
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SSgt Robert Marx
You said it well, LTC Stephen F. ! Mental illness is treatable and as much an infirmity as any disease.
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SGT Robert George
Jesus is the answer but we need to show loving concern for our Vets that we really are rooting for them that each day will become better than the last !!!
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Mental illness needs to be seen as such. It is an illness or disease that is not the fault of the patient. Do we look down on folks because they have cancer? The other big problem is money. Back in the 1970's, the government drastically cut the finding for mental illness care and treatment. There is not enough money in the pot to cover everything and mental illness has not been a priority. We are seeing the effects of that now as we, as a society, are not prepared to deal with the amount of mental illness in our communities.
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