Veterans Helping Hands Give Help to PTSD Veterans

Reporter: Andrew Del Greco
Local Soldiers Can Find Help For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Posted: Jan 31, 2008 11:37 PM EST


According to the U.S. Army, suicides among active-duty soldiers in 2007 hit the highest level since the Army began keeping track in 1980.

The president of "Veterans Helping Hands" says many of our soldiers come back home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He says he wants them to know they're not alone in any feelings of depression, and that there is help available.

These are numbers from the U.S. Army: In 2007, 121 soldiers took their own lives, which is an increase of about 20% over 2006. Also in 2007, about 2,100 soldiers attempted suicide. In 2002, prior to the Iraq war, that number was 350. Jerry Schmidt and others helps veterans and their widows file claims with the V.A. and get benefits and other services.

He says the soldiers' Post-Tramautic Stress Disorder stems from the horrors of warfare that many of us will never know. And there are 'new' horrors in Iraq where suicide bombs explode suddenly and kill innocent people.

Schmidt says in East Idaho, there should be more psychiatrists or pyschologists trained in military P.T.S.D., with just two doctors in Pocatello and one in Idaho Falls. But those kinds of counselors are available for our local soldiers - and veterans like Jerry are available too.
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