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#101
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X1000
__________________
Steel Rain Brings The Pain! |
#102
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#103
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Indeed outstanding thread! I'm proud of the inspirational good stories. And saddened by some of the others. I also helped a couple of American buddies who suffered from PTSD or depression (one could say - but I agree with the guys who say the label doesn't matter). One of them at some point was living in his car. They're all doing very well now!
Like you all I'm a strong supporter of military values such as brotherhood. I do have experience with therapists because of family but I don't follow those routines or analyze. I do not problematize, victimize or judge. On the contrary. I'm definitely not a "savoir" and share my own f*ckedup shit as well. I think what helps is different for everyone. Some need to be told what to do and are helped by guidance and mentoring. Like some examples in this thread. That's not my experience. The guys that reached out to me can not be told what to do. They're leaders themselves, more in the angry, aggressive mode. Not everyone can deal with that but I appear to be a good match and sparring partner for those. |
#104
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^^good stuff. Thanks for your efforts.
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#105
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This is the crux to treatment, especially as it pertains to mental and behavioral health.
In addition, one does not need an MD, DO, MSW, PhD, or other letters to be effective. Ofttimes, just being a sounding board and empathizing as well as listening goes a long way. Let them know they are not alone! |
#106
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Good post.
__________________
Steel Rain Brings The Pain! |
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[QUOTE=Silverbullet;1058473242]This is not meant to be preachy about PTSD.
Please consider we should not be part of the stigma attaching group when posting on the subject. We need to point our Brother & Sisters to help than isn't from a quack though. If I may suggest, something that may help is starting a camping group, I started one with Marines and Soldiers I served with that are from my State. We try to meet quarterly for one weekend. We use local State Parks. Its a way for us to get away from the "civilian" world and all the modern day technology. I hope this might help. Semper Fi! |
#108
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I started today off with a message from a friend that a 24 yr old former Marine had killed himself last night. Two combat tours in Afghan in an infantry squad. Decorated for actions under fire.
I didn't know him, but I did.... The usual easy culprits "PTSD" and "the VA had him on meds" to alone drinking. While not aware of the totality of the circumstances the facts appear to be once again, one of our bloodline isolated, compounded by a gov that doesn't care and is attempting to medicate a complex issue away. I know a bunch of you are on FB and other platforms. The word needs to get out that we are the best support for our Brothers and Sisters. None of us have all the answers but the person you haven't heard form for awhile that you reach out to may the person who's life you save. Steel sharpens steel. |
#109
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Quote:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw
__________________
- Faith involves believing in the veracity of the unprovable and unobservable, whether that consists of religion or theoretical physics, which at the very subatomic level start looking rather similar. -ET1/SS Nuke Last edited by Silverbullet; 2 October 2016 at 14:42. Reason: Fixed Purples link |
#110
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I got that call almost 2yrs ago (Oct 24th, 2014).
A good friend of mine, her son did a tour as a machine gunner In Afghanistan with 2/7. He had some issues but no one thought or noticed how bad they were. He'd even called the VA suicide line, but I guess that didn't work, he hung up on them and they're the ones who sent the cops out that found him. I don't know what the solution is, but we have to do everything we can to help these young men and women, even if just being there to listen and point them in the right direction to getting professional help. |
#111
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One of the difficulties in identifying someone who needs help..is that most of us want to appear to have it all together, even if we are dying inside. We smile, we act like everything is ok, perhaps because we don't want to be judged or found to be "weak." Perhaps we show a crack in the armor but even then, it doesn't sound the alarm on other's radar..and so many of us (at least speaking for myself) don't want to be intrusive.
__________________
- Faith involves believing in the veracity of the unprovable and unobservable, whether that consists of religion or theoretical physics, which at the very subatomic level start looking rather similar. -ET1/SS Nuke |
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Such an awesome thread. Not awesome because of the subject but awesome because it needs to be talked about.
Peer2Peer Support! I am a believer in our community supporting our community. No one else can or is qualified to. A degree in psych is not qualification enough. The same dust/mud/shit in the tread of your boots is. If you have knowledge of a good organised program then post it in this thread here. If you don't have something happening in your area/region, then be the solution and start a monthly/weekly coffee 'n' catch-up at a sympathetic business around town. As a final solution, as SB says, talk to your buddies; a phone call can be the difference between someone being GTG and paying your respects at their funeral. The thing about all this, if you help someone else, you are helping yourself. Try it, it works. Cheers,
__________________
AJ sends. On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, we will remember them. Lest We Forget. |
#113
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Cheers,
__________________
AJ sends. On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, we will remember them. Lest We Forget. |
#114
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The thing is, never know what can trigger it.
My friends son, on the day in question he had gone grocery shopping, got treats and food for his dog, did his homework, basically everything normal. Information that I received (admittedly 2nd hand) was he sat down and watched/watching some movie (I don't recall what it was) called the VA suicide prevention line, hung up on them, they sent the cops that found him. Predecessors that should have been clear warning signs weren't seen for what they were, he had kicked his wife out (loaded all her things in a U-Haul), moved from Nor-Cal to Texas (limited family in Texas, mom in L.A., father in Bakersfield, brother in the Corps also). I dunno, it frustrates me and hurts every time I think about it. |
#115
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Quote:
__________________
- Faith involves believing in the veracity of the unprovable and unobservable, whether that consists of religion or theoretical physics, which at the very subatomic level start looking rather similar. -ET1/SS Nuke |
#116
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Read this article this morning and thought it might be appropriate for this discussion:
Quote:
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#117
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That's deep, and quite profound.
__________________
"I don't know whether the world is run by smart men who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Twain "I agree that his intentions are suspect, and that he likely needs to die...." - SOTB "Just a lone patriot acting alone at a fulcrum point, ideally in a deniable fashion. A perpetrator of accidents." - Magician |
#118
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Praying for those veterans who are hurting to find peace. I do not know who they are but God does.
Peace and blessings.
__________________
"Hate war but love the American warrior." Lt. General Hal Moore Tolerating evil leads only to more evil. And when good people stand by and do nothing while wickedness reigns, their communities will be consumed. Bob Riley |
#119
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Just lost a very good friend. Had TBI from an IED. He was sort of a legend in my community, one of the very few who were qualified to fly in all three platforms. He worked for me for a while, was very proud to see him make Chief.
I wish he would have called me first.... Fair Winds my CPO Brother |
#120
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Earlier this year, I was at a conference where one of the topics centered on the work of the SOF Care Coalition. One of the speakers was not part of the staff but a retired senior NCO who shared his story. He shared his struggles, what was taking place at the time in his professional and personal life that spanned several years. Through numerous deployments and training, he convinced himself he was well and on and on. He admittedly lied to his unit psych, teammates and himself. His issues compounded where he made some poor choices operationally. As he was talking, it hit me as I could relate to so much of what he was saying. I tried to discount the thoughts in my head of needing to do something about my condition.
On the flight back, my thoughts drifted back to much of what was shared by him. I've sent several Soldiers to get assistance, had opportunities to intervene on some but getting help for myself seemed a challenge. I felt in order to be a better dad, partner, leader, I needed to take the step. Thankfully, I had someone to reach out to, a retired CSM and half assed sent an email asking to talk. He replied almost immediately. That call led to getting some outside assistance. Fast forward, it was a good decision on my part due to someone having the courage to share their story. I'm not necessarily saying one needs to lay out their entire biography to everyone. In my position, I don't shy from sharing my story. Key leaders have visibility of my calendar and see my appointments and I freely speak of some things. I still have my clearance and am quite comfortable with who I am. If someone thinks less than for getting help, so be it. I had a younger NCO in my office not too long ago that asked to speak with me. The NCO had been struggling and performance was going down hill as noticed by some peers. I asked the NCO if he felt he needed help. He didn't want to seek help because he felt it would impact his clearance and he would be perceived as weak. For clarity, I asked him if someone was getting help, you'd consider that person weak? He rogered up. I then asked if he felt I was weak? He responded, "No". I then proceeded to show him my calendar and shared part of my story. A stranger shared his story that led me to get assistance. In a way, he made himself transparent and impacted one life. Unfortunately, I've lost several Soldiers resulting from the demons they wrestled with. Some, we were able to help. I know my openness has led to some getting the help they needed. If there is someone reading this and struggling, reach out. Send a PM, you may feel alone as if you are the only one dealing with some shit but I guarantee someone here has gone through something similar. Within this community, there are folks with some reach and can get you some assistance.
__________________
Here's to nipples...without them, titties would be pointless A problem shared is a problem ridiculed |
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