PTSD Veteran Scott Farnsworth, Killed by Police Won't Be Counted

We don't know how many lives are claimed by PTSD caused by combat. What we do know is that when the end comes as "suicide by cop" they won't be counted at all.

Family, friends mourn Valley veteran's death after he was fatally shot by police

ABC 15 News

Melissa Blasius

September 28, 2017

PHOENIX - Friends and family will bury a Valley veteran Friday at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, one week after he was fatally shot by police.

ABC15 is learning more about 28-year-old Scott Farnsworth. His mom, Pat, says the Army veteran served in Iraq and medically retired because of severe PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

"He's so compassionate, so kind, and he's been that that way since he was a little boy," Pat said.

Family members said they tried and failed to get Scott proper medical and mental health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"They bleed red, white, and blue, and we do nothing except say, "Oh, how tragic," Pat Farnsworth said.

Mesa police say officers shot Scott Farnsworth after he pointed a gun at them, while in the area of Crismon Road and Southern Avenue Friday night.

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Australia Veterans Get "pills with four legs" for PTSD

Man's best friend aids Australian military vets with PTSD

AFP
September 29, 2017

"Ex-servicemen were also about 14 percent more likely to kill themselves than men in the general population."

© Facebook Sarbi, an Australian military dog trained in explosives.

They are nicknamed "pills with four legs" -- highly-trained dogs helping ex-Australian military veterans overcome the mental scars of war.

Australia's servicemen and women have in recent times been posted to danger zones in Iraq, East Timor, and Afghanistan -- the nation's longest-running military conflict.

With some undertaking multiple tours of duty, psychologists are concerned traditional treatment such as counselling do not sufficiently address the trauma of combat.

"I lost my home, my marriage," Ken Lloyd, an experienced former special forces commando who has battled severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), told AFP.

"Thankfully I am still in contact with my sons, thankfully I'm better," he added.

The Afghan veteran found he was able to better understand PTSD symptoms, such as anxiety and anger, when he began training his pet labrador Jaeger to help him with tasks.
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Air Force Tech Sgt. Gets Diesel For PTSD

Rebuilding Warriors presents Air Commando with service dog
Cannon Air Force Base
By Senior Airman Luke Kitterman, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
Published September 28, 2017

“Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the anxiety never really leaves.”  Tech. Sgt. Michael Farthing

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University’s football team won their third game of the season September 23, 2017, with the Greyhounds beating Angelo State 31-21 and improving their record to 3-1. Accurate passes, long runs and big hits highlighted the rain-soaked match; however, the biggest play of the night didn’t happen during the game. It happened before the first whistle was even blown.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Farthing, 16th Special Operations Squadron aerial gunner on the AC-130W Stinger II, embraces his new service dog “Diesel” before the start of the Eastern New Mexico University’s Greyhounds football game September 23, 2017, at Al Whitehead Field in Portales, New Mexico. It was through Rebuilding Warriors, a program that provides service dogs with military members who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuries as well as amputees, that Farthing was able to receive Diesel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luke Kitterman/Released)

Tech. Sgt. Michael Farthing, 16th Special Operations Squadron aerial gunner on the AC-130W Stinger II, received a service dog during a ceremony before the start of the military appreciation game at Al Whitehead Field in Portales, New Mexico. He was joined by family, friends and colleagues to support him in the big moment.

“I was extremely nervous,” Farthing said. “Dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the anxiety never really leaves. I was worried more than anything that everything would go smooth. The rain put a damper on things for a while but my family who are a major support system for me helped keep me grounded and calm.”

Farthing stood on the track at the 50-yard line as the announcer spoke of his accomplishments and dedicated service during his time in the Air Force. Then, his service dog, “Diesel,” was brought out to him as the crowd erupted in cheers.

“Receiving Diesel and seeing my Gunship family in the stands, along with my family and commander behind me, was very emotional,” Farthing explained. “Happiness, excitement, humility – all these things were rushing through me. Seeing the support of my squadron members in those stands was unlike anything I can describe.”

Farthing has flown 1,400 combat hours on more than 10 deployments including 270 combat missions, where he faced the threat of manned portable air defense systems and anti-aircraft artillery. Through Rebuilding Warriors, a program that pairs service dogs with military members who have been diagnosed with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries as well as amputees. Farthing was able to receive Diesel.
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If the NFL Cannot Respect the National Anthem--Stop Playing It!

NFL Should Stop Playing Games With National Anthem
Combat PTSD Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
September 29, 2017


Aren't these guys supposed to be rough and tough? So why are they whining before they play their games because POTUS sent out a nasty tweet? (As if that is anything new) Then show disrespect for the National Anthem in "protest" over something that has nothing to do with the job they get paid to do?

They do not think of their fans paying a lot of money to watch them play instead of just watching on TV. They want to show up and give their favorite teams support. Too bad too many players are not willing to reciprocate on the support side.

What gives them the right to assume they can do whatever they want in front of the fans who just paid to be there?

NFL Military Flyovers

The NFL does not even respect their own rules! Stop the military flyovers, the claims of "respect" for the Armed Forces and they should stop playing the National Anthem. 

That way, we won't have to see how little they respect anything, or anyone, other than themselves!


If one more person claims this has nothing to do with disrespecting the flag or troops, they need to learn the history of the Anthem itself. 

Senators Say Something Has To Be Done on Suicides, But Nothing New

When will these elected officials ever listen? Better yet, hold themselves accountable for what they've already failed to hear!

Senators: More Must Be Done to Reduce Vet Suicides

Stars and Stripes
by Claudia Grisales
28 Sep 2017

WASHINGTON -- A boost in medical providers and resources, greater awareness of mental illness within the military and improving the treatment of exiting service members could help combat a disturbing trend of increased suicides among veterans, lawmakers said Wednesday.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., asks a question concerning suicide data during a Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 27, 2017. (Stars and Stripes/Carlos Bongioanni)

A detailed government report released earlier this month showed suicide risk is 22 percent higher among veterans compared to civilians. For female veterans, that risk was 2.5 times higher, while for male veterans the rate was 19 percent higher, according to a report released Sept. 15 by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

These findings, and others, show Congress and the VA must step up with new efforts to address the national epidemic, lawmakers and government officials said during a Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing held in the wake of the agency report.

"More needs to be done," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. "And more steps need to be taken to address suicide trends among veterans. ...What I am hearing again and again and again is the rates are increasing among vets who lack access."

Craig Bryan, executive director for the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah, said about 70 percent of veterans who have attempted suicide were already diagnosed with a mental illness. 

Tester said more funding is needed to address the concerns.
"We need to do a better job of outreach," he said. "It's going to cost money to get health professionals on the ground in urban and rural areas."

Read more here if you want to read more the same we've read over the last decade!