Canada:Traumatic experiences follow soldiers home

Military cases Traumatic experiences follow soldiers home, ending with criminal charges in some cases
A1By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

An Oromocto clinical psychologist says at least 80 per cent of her military clientele are being treated for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental affliction that haunts soldiers returning from combat duty.

"If I had 10 military patients, I would say eight of them I am treating for post-traumatic stress," Lorelei Walsh Park said Thursday outside the Burton courthouse where she had testified on behalf of a Canadian Forces client.

But the private practitioner, who stressed the numbers apply only to her office, said these figures are to be expected considering her practice is less than a couple of kilometres away from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

Walsh Park said soldiers going away on missions these days are being exposed to a lot of trauma.

"This is a combat base, so it would make sense that these soldiers are experiencing that more than soldiers who aren't (in) combat."

Walsh Park said most of her military clientele are suffering from severe PTSD.

The Oromocto psychologist said she believes returning soldiers are getting the treatment they need.

"I am aware there have been issues with mental health and how they (the base) handled it ... but, from my perspective, there's a lot of people there and they are trying to manage," she said.

"Certainly, they are quick to refer out to me if they are aware that they do not want this person to wait too long."

Walsh Park said previous patients have responded well to treatment, but she's only now starting to deal with soldiers who have served in Afghanistan.

"In the past, I have seen Bosnian vets and Gulf War vets, and most of them don't see me anymore because they are discharged and are now out living their lives.''

Some soldiers suffering from PTSD have been treated and have returned to other overseas missions, she said. But a lot depends on the person and the experiences he or she has had.
go here for more
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/front/article/406184