Red Cross finds PTSD Conversation Falls On Deaf Ears

With so many suffering the ravages of PTSD on them and their families, you'd think the seats would be filled, but as with most things, it isn't the message but the way it is delivered that causes issues.

I am not sure what the Red Cross is doing in this case but going into this other report, it is easy to see that it is the way they are doing it.

Red Cross Holds Veteran Information Night

The video report shows a couple of people sitting in the chairs. Most of the presentations, hearings and conferences I've attended over the years, were well attended but they were geared toward professionals treating PTSD and not for those with PTSD. What they had in common with programs like the Red Cross is they were all boring.

PTSD Conversation Falls On Deaf Ears
By Jenna Hanchard

July 26, 2011
Updated Jul 26, 2011 at 11:04 PM EDT
Endicott, NY (WBNG Binghamton) A message about post traumatic stress disorder falls on empty seats at the American Red Cross in Endicott Tuesday night.

Since January, the Red Cross has been hosting veteran information nights.
read more here
PTSD Conversation Falls On Deaf Ears

Every group out there trying to help has to adapt to the generation that grew up with the Internet, video games, iTunes and being entertained. They don't want to see a poorly made Power Point with graphs and a couple of pictures. They don't want to hear a presenter reading off a script with no passion in their voice. Above all this, the last thing they want to do is spend a couple of hours sitting in a room paying attention to people not really paying attention to them. If these service groups do not adapt to their world they will continue to show them that they are not willing to go there.

Imagine trying to help homeless veterans but holding the program in an upper scale neighborhood. That may be where the providers live, but it is not where the homeless veterans live. Then try to establish any kind of relationship with them when you avoid the area they live in otherwise. You have to know "where they live" in order to help them live better.

It is the same no matter what help you want to give. You have to get into their world. You have to understand them and speak their language, or at the very least, make it comfortable for them to use theirs freely. If they swear, let them. Your sensitive ears can stand it when you understand the depth of their pain, so if that's the language they need to use to communicate it to you, let them. At least they're trying.

If you have a service group trying to get thru to them, then spend the time to understand their world. Spend a few bucks and get an updated presentation to show. Get someone with a video camera to put together a video to show. While these veterans are showing up more and more at shelters, arrested, divorced and attempting suicide at higher rates, they are screaming for not just help, but people willing to really show they understand every aspect of their lives. Don't just show up as if that's all they need because they won't be there.