Army to Release Anti-Suicide Film

Army to Release Anti-Suicide Film
Last Update: 6:32 am

Film Aims to Lower Soldier Suicide 3/2/08

Oswego County, New York (WSYR-TV) - The Army is releasing an interactive video in April aimed at curbing the soldier suicide rate. It’s the highest it’s been in more than twenty years. That’s just among active soldiers. There have also been a staggering number of suicides among veterans home from the war, who are dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.

Joe Godfrey from Oswego County says he doesn’t think the video will work. Godfrey knows far more about post traumatic stress disorder than any father should.

His son, Joe, came home from Iraq at the end of 2004 a different man. He couldn't sleep, was afraid of the dark and started drinking despite being on a slew of medications.

“He was always afraid that someone was out to get him,” Godfrey says.

Joe knew he needed help but didn't get it from the VA in time. Joe was killed outside a bar in Oswego a few months later. His father believes that he ended up dying as a result of the fact that he couldn’t get treatment in a timely manner.

Godfrey's other son, Justin, will be leaving for Iraq this summer – on his third tour.
“You make it through the first time, then the second time was when his brother was killed. Now, he’s going back a third time. Every time you go back, you're bucking the odds, you know?” Godfrey says.
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