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1SG Bn Ssa
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Man tough read. Definitely a battle that we have been losing. All Soldiers are different so trying to tailor a program to fit all has been difficult. There is still such a perception of PTSD being a disease and a weakness that most Soldiers don't reach out for the help they need. I think all we can do as fellow Soldiers is continue to spread awareness of all the resources out there and be that battle buddy that they can call on if they need you.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
SSG Bethany Viglietta
>1 y
1SG (Join to see) You are definitely right about the perception of PTSD. It's not only our perceptions as veterans, but the civilian perception of PTSD that hinders veterans from seeking help. So many movies and tv shows show those with PTSD as crazy and violent. Then the media immediately blames PTSD for any service member's wrong doing.

Thanks so much for sharing. It was a hard read for me too.
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CPT Joseph K Murdock
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Edited >1 y ago
It is my humble belief that most of the suicides are committed by Vietnam era Veterans. The feel like they have suffered, endured their life, and hastened the end of their life cycle.

A lot could go wrong with the younger vets (and older vets). Some get bad conduct discharges, are not provided proper care, self medicate, lose their whole family, which make them more prone to end their own suffering.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
SSG Bethany Viglietta
>1 y
CPT Joseph K Murdock Thanks for the response! You are right, over 60% of veteran suicides are veterans who are over the age of 50.
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Capt Tom Brown
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SSG Bethany Viglietta Thanks for sharing your deep personal concern for this horrible problem that seems to defy solution. You have summarized the tangled complexity of the issue and hopefully you can figure a way to contribute something from your end that might possibly ease the pain and suffering of even one person. I think so many people join an 'awareness campaign' out of sheer frustration in wanting to do something if it 'only' be raising awareness. Collectively these efforts and individual efforts of professionals and volunteers may be able to help. One life saved is a victory.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
SSG Bethany Viglietta
>1 y
Capt Tom Brown That's a great point about people wanting to be a part of something/to do something even if it's for awareness. Maybe we need to start a different kind of campaign, like writing to one's representatives.
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