Yesterday one of our soldiers who was being treated for stress, entered the very clinic where he had been seen. He shot and killed five fellow soldiers while wounding three others. Sergeant John Russell was on his third tour of duty in Iraq and attempting to deal with the stress of being in this war, as well as the stress of not being at home when he committed this act. He seems to be as much a victim as those whom he shot.
Our veterans are returning home with PTSD. More than 300,000 veterans are said to be suffering from this. Add to that the soldiers still in combat who are exhibiting PTSD symptoms and we have a national crisis. In January of this year there were more suicides within the ranks of soldiers than there were deaths in combat. Multiple deployments seem to be one of the primary factors. Reports show that more than six hundred thousand have been in Iraq or Afghanistan more than once and that one in four suffer PTSD. This issue warrants high-priority assessment by our government.
Sadly, there is a shortage of qualified mental health professionals in the Department of Defense, the VA and in the population in general who can appropriately deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Just as important is the issue of the number of tours our soldiers are serving. Sergeant Russell was on his third tour when yesterday’s tragedy happened. Other soldiers are on their fourth tour and are potentials for PTSD. Many may indeed have the symptoms already.
We need to draw down these troops. We need to find qualified personnel who can deal with PTSD in the field and also when our troops come home. One tour of duty is enough of a sacrifice. Three or four is beyond the pale. This is an American tragedy.
—cher
Tags: Afghanistan, Anxiety, Health, Iraq, Mental health, post traumatic stress, Posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, suicide, VA
These soldiers are symptomatic of the bewilderment of the people of America as to the direction their country are taking. Trillions of dollars and precious human lives were lost because of nebulous causes which are sometimes harmful to the supposed to be beneficiary countries. Iraq and Afghanistan are examples of countries which the powers that be have emasculated with their petty and decadent idealism. Now the great America is herself on her knees. Who will save her from her own self inflicted wounds? Thanks for the post. God bless you always.
[Translate]
Luckily for us, we were swimming in Mary Jane, which definitely helped to deal with the stress, although not the day I walked out of the EM Club (huh! that’s a joke) and stared straight down the barrel of a chrome plated .45 pistol aimed at the guy standing with his back to me about 5 feet away. Needless to say I beat a hasty retreat. Turned out to be a dispute over a stereo. Luckily, the Main Pothead ambled by and calmed things down.
The one thing we had going for us was the sanctity of our DEROS date. We knew we were going home and that we wouldn’t be going back unless we chose to. Of course, we did get drafted, which WAS a bummer. Nothing’s easy, then or now.
[Translate]
Mel,
How very profound your thoughts are. Who will save our troops from America’s “self-inflicted wounds?” I fear for them. If you have ever known anyone who suffers from PTSD, then you know the horrific scars and nightmares they face. The pain increases exponentially as their families are left to cope with these problems and have little, if any, support system. They too become caught in the web of war and lost reasoning and hurt that knows no end. America must somehow reach out to these brave men and women and wrap them in warm blankets of the solace that we do care. God bless you, Mel and our troops….
[Translate]
America – when will you hear the voices of your babies ?
damn..
[Translate]
Windroot,
Well, at least Mary Jane took the edge off and for that I am grateful. You were in a frightening situation which you described, though I would bet there were other times when the sigh of relief did not come so fast.
And you are right about knowing that you would leave and that date, barring anything horrendous, was set in stone. I didn’t like the draft but I don’t like our troops going over there time and time again. What that does to the psyche must be wrenching.
Nothing about war is easy, is it? The aftermath, unfortunately for many, is often just an extension of the plight. Those of us not in the Service are insulated and only see TV clips. In this time of war games on XBoxes and violence in theaters, I wonder if we have become immune. I strongly believe we have a responsibility to insist on proper care for our Vets and for those who are still serving, as well as developing support systems for their families.
[Translate]
Re,
Amen and Amen. Listen up America. These are your sons, brothers, husbands, daughters, sisters and wives. These people are in our American family. They are suffering and in need. Heed the call and rise up to awaken your souls. Listen to Re. These are “the voices of your babies.” Do you hear them?
[Translate]
Some things just make me wonder what the heck certain people are thinking.
The Vietnam war took place in basically a jungle with villages…the geographical area in that war had triggers from an area which was typically not as civilized and modern as our cities are today. Those veternas had their triggers such as helicopters and jungle type atmospheres.
Those veterans barely had any real in-depth concentrated therapy when they returned home.
Heavy medication and support groups was all they could lean on for help in integrating back to a somewhat normal life.
The Iraq war is taking place in a city environment much like what our vets are returning to as home. Imagine the triggers they are having to deal with. Everyday life…everyday streets…everyday people.
More men are returning from 2, 3 and even 4 tours of duty. They do not have to this day, with all of the knowledge of what levels of PTSD the Iraq war is causing these men…any proper transition therapy available.
These men are in desperate need of severe in-depth therapy and for at least a 6 month period. Then only then should they be allowed to spend time in a home environment.
I just do not get it. They have funding for all sorts of nonsensical projects…but for the men that put their lives and families on the line for us…what are we doing for them? Oh sure we feel bad every time we read the news and we are horrified when we hear of a soldier who just shot and killed his wife because something in his home triggered off his PTSD…but what are we doing about it?
When I say we…I am referring to the people that gladly take the prestige and paychecks not to mention the perks of being Government officials.
I am not picking on any political party….as far as I am concerned none so far have done anything to help the soldiers that stand up and take a bullet for us.
I am ranting on this issue because it is so frustrating when simple people as myself can see things so clearly…yet still nothing is being done!
Forgive my haste. I just become very angry when lives are being wasted!
~D~
[Translate]
D,
You expressed righteous indignation and I applaud you. This does go way beyond politics, doesn’t it? I have a friend who suffers to this day from PTSD after being in Viet Nam. His wife and now adult children have been victims, not of him but of the system which has failed in every way to help this family. What people fail to realize is that often our Veterans lose their families, which is usually the only support system they can claim.
It is so difficult to deal with nightmares that surface during the day and linger through the night. Medicate them? Oh sure, just pump them full of meds that leave them in zombie states for a few hours and it starts all over again. Our PTSD Vets become the homeless and forgotten. Many take their own lives. Some take the lives of others because they are not lucid. They are still in battle.
Someone needs to be held accountable for this tragedy. And you are absolutely right. We have funding for everything except, it seems, those who have defended our country. The shame is on any one of us who turns their head away from this. It is a sorrowful issue.
[Translate]