Marines Discuss the Severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome
WHSV News
Jun 27, 2012
Marine Corps Veteran Daniel Fahey served for years before being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. It is an anxiety disorder that can start after psychological trauma, like warfare.
“If you don't at least recognize and make that first step, it can really start to tear you up and tear everybody else around you down,” said Fahey.
He served in Afghanistan and in Iraq counseling other soldiers.
Fahey said he considered suicide by driving off the road to get rid of his problems. That was when he realized he had a problem.
“It can seriously just cause you to implode slowly, and that's a very lonely place to be.”
Staunton Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members wanted to make sure people have information about PTSD, in case they suffer from some of the symptoms. They held a forum so other people could learn about PTSD.
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Monday, July 2, 2012
Army Sgt. Major Raymond Chandler III keeps fighting to save lives
One of the heroes on PTSD is Sgt. Major Chandler and in this article he "called himself the poster child of someone with PTSD" with a lot of courage. He's been open about his own battle with Combat PTSD making him a true hero in the fight to save the lives of the men and women serving today and the veterans of yesterday.
Officials Say Progress Must Continue in PTSD Treatment
By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2012 – Great strides have been made in treating service members with post-traumatic stress disorder, but progress must continue, military and medical leaders told an audience here today.
The military’s three surgeons general and the Army’s senior sergeant major spoke at an event to mark the third-annual National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
Sgt. Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III called himself the poster child of someone with PTSD who is concerned about the stigma associated with seeking treatment, something which he says is an on-going issue for many.
His first brush with a life-threatening event in Iraq became life-altering, he said, adding that it caused him to do things that led to a “downward spiral.” For example, during his post-deployment health risk assessment, he wasn’t completely honest about his situation because he was being redeployed.
“I felt that if I said truthfully what happened and what I was feeling, I wouldn’t be able to succeed and move on. I’ve come a long way since 2005,” he added, noting that he had turned off a good part of his life -- the emotional, spiritual and physical elements to deal with being the professional soldier.
Chandler finally entered a two-week behavioral health program which he said made a significant difference.
In 2011, when he interviewed with then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. for the job as Sergeant Major of the Army, he said Casey was glad to have him onboard with his experience in PTSD counseling, because Chandler could speak to the challenges and treatment.
Chandler got the job and went on to tell his story to service members and families.
“I think we’ve made a difference,” Chandler said. “I know in many of our soldiers’ lives and the many challenges of the past 10 years, we’ve made tremendous strides in our behavioral health care access, and our care and quality of care, [but] we still have a long way to go.”
“I believe we will work through this and we will be better as a nation,” he said.
Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho told the audience “As a society in military medicine we must be able to provide care for the invisible wounds of war in the long run. As a nation, it is our opportunity to partner and lead the way in breaking the silence [of the invisible wounds].”
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Canadian Military ‘Disappointed’ head of veteran’s suicide probe
‘Disappointed’ head of veteran’s suicide probe won’t press Peter MacKay for key documents after Defence Minister’s stonewalling
Chris Cobb
Postmedia News
Jun 27, 2012
OTTAWA — The head of a federal inquiry probing the suicide of Afghan war veteran Stuart Langridge says he won’t immediately challenge Defence Minister Peter MacKay in Federal Court over his refusal to hand over key documents.
MacKay refused a request by Military Police Complaints Commission chairman Glenn Stannard to waive solicitor-client privilege in the Langridge case and provide the inquiry with the documents.
“While I’m disappointed with this response by Minister MacKay I continue to respect his position of authority,” said Stannard and his undoubted prerogative to exercise his discretion with respect to any request to waive privilege.”
read more here
Chris Cobb
Postmedia News
Jun 27, 2012
OTTAWA — The head of a federal inquiry probing the suicide of Afghan war veteran Stuart Langridge says he won’t immediately challenge Defence Minister Peter MacKay in Federal Court over his refusal to hand over key documents.
MacKay refused a request by Military Police Complaints Commission chairman Glenn Stannard to waive solicitor-client privilege in the Langridge case and provide the inquiry with the documents.
“While I’m disappointed with this response by Minister MacKay I continue to respect his position of authority,” said Stannard and his undoubted prerogative to exercise his discretion with respect to any request to waive privilege.”
read more here
Changes needed in Guard, Reserve pay
Review: Changes needed in Guard, Reserve pay
Stars and Stripes
Published: July 2, 2012
A Pentagon review of compensation members of the National Guard and reservists receive is recommending that changes be made to make salaries and benefits more equitable, according to an article from The Associated Press.
Guard members and reservists normally receive two days of pay for each weekend day they spend training in the States, but only receive one day’s pay when deployed to Afghanistan, according to the article.
read more here
Stars and Stripes
Published: July 2, 2012
A Pentagon review of compensation members of the National Guard and reservists receive is recommending that changes be made to make salaries and benefits more equitable, according to an article from The Associated Press.
Guard members and reservists normally receive two days of pay for each weekend day they spend training in the States, but only receive one day’s pay when deployed to Afghanistan, according to the article.
read more here
Troop hospitalizations show mental toll of war
Troop hospitalizations show mental toll of war
By WYATT OLSON
Stars and Stripes
Published: July 1, 2012
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Hospitalizations of troops with mental disorders such as suicidal or homicidal intent and debilitating psychosis reached a 10-year high in 2011, underscoring the mental and emotional toll of America’s dual wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center says 13,133 servicemembers were treated as inpatients last year for mental disorders, the top reason for hospitalization of active-duty troops. That was up from 10,706 in 2007.
The total number of hospitalizations for mental disorders in 2011 was about 21,700, suggesting that many patients were treated more than once, based on annual data from a recently released Medical Surveillance Monthly Report.
The number of visits for outpatient mental health treatment has also ballooned, almost doubling from just under 1 million in 2007 to about 1.89 million in 2011, the report revealed.
The number of hospitalizations is almost certainly higher because it does not include inpatient treatment of mental disorders during deployments or field training exercises, or on ships at sea.
read more here
By WYATT OLSON
Stars and Stripes
Published: July 1, 2012
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Hospitalizations of troops with mental disorders such as suicidal or homicidal intent and debilitating psychosis reached a 10-year high in 2011, underscoring the mental and emotional toll of America’s dual wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center says 13,133 servicemembers were treated as inpatients last year for mental disorders, the top reason for hospitalization of active-duty troops. That was up from 10,706 in 2007.
The total number of hospitalizations for mental disorders in 2011 was about 21,700, suggesting that many patients were treated more than once, based on annual data from a recently released Medical Surveillance Monthly Report.
The number of visits for outpatient mental health treatment has also ballooned, almost doubling from just under 1 million in 2007 to about 1.89 million in 2011, the report revealed.
The number of hospitalizations is almost certainly higher because it does not include inpatient treatment of mental disorders during deployments or field training exercises, or on ships at sea.
read more here
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