Posted on Jun 2, 2016
'Maybe they'll listen now that he's dead': Crestview family grieves loss of 26-year-old Iraq War...
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What are your thoughts on this? Is the "awareness campaign" partially to blame? Let's do 22 push ups for 22 days to raise awareness, but then do nothing about it. Right now it feels like every other challenge done on social media. People are doing it for the likes and recognition.
The real question, what can we do to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering? I stayed up late last night to find the answer, reading medical articles trying to figure out why soldiers can have similar/same experiences on a deployment, but react differently. Some come home with PTSD, others reintegrate into their communities with ease. The VA has been blamed, the medical system, and today's society. But no real solutions are being offered, is that because each person may need a different solution? There are nonprofit organizations who are trying to help with some solutions, working out, being a member of a volunteer group, therapy dogs, etc. Are their services just not making it to all the veterans who need their help?
A veteran killed himself in the name of being "1 of the 22. Why can't they help us". How can we help us?
RIP Brother.
The real question, what can we do to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering? I stayed up late last night to find the answer, reading medical articles trying to figure out why soldiers can have similar/same experiences on a deployment, but react differently. Some come home with PTSD, others reintegrate into their communities with ease. The VA has been blamed, the medical system, and today's society. But no real solutions are being offered, is that because each person may need a different solution? There are nonprofit organizations who are trying to help with some solutions, working out, being a member of a volunteer group, therapy dogs, etc. Are their services just not making it to all the veterans who need their help?
A veteran killed himself in the name of being "1 of the 22. Why can't they help us". How can we help us?
RIP Brother.
'Maybe they'll listen now that he's dead': Crestview family grieves loss of 26-year-old Iraq War...
Posted from m.nwfdailynews.comPosted in these groups: 
Suicide
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Medical
PTSD
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Suicide Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Medical PTSD Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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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
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.
Thanks so much for sharing. It was a hard read for me too.
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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.
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
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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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
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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