Soldier shares PTSD struggle to save others "Frozen in War"

Soldier shares PTSD struggle to save others
KHOU Texas
by JADE MINGUS / KVUE News
Photojournalist Dennis Thomas
Posted on May 26, 2014

AUSTIN -- A soldier living in Lockhart is using his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder to give other service members hope through a documentary called "Frozen in War."

Andrew O'Brien tried to kill himself when he returned home from Iraq by overdosing in 2010.

"The reason I attempted suicide was I felt alone, I felt weak for feeling the way I did," said O'Brien.

O'Brien says his best therapy is sharing his story, and he's doing it at military installations across the country.

"I’ll speak to a crowd of 100 soldiers and out of that 100, ten will come up and tell me their suicide attempt story,' said O'Brien.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs 22 veterans commit suicide every day.

Director Estephania LeBaron has followed O'Brien around the country for the past year, filming his journey of helping others. She has completed 20 minutes of the "Frozen in War" documentary and hopes to finish it this year. The goal is to screen it in theaters across the country and start a conversation.

"It is so rewarding for me," said LeBaron. "This helps the conversation begin."
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