mental health Archives - Cammo Style Love

mental health, military, military life, Power of 1, Veterans Crisis Line

22 A Day Is 22 Too Many #Powerof1

September 18, 2015 No Comments

All it takes is one person to make a difference. One person to stop and say “Enough is enough.” During the month of September the Department of Veterans is challenging everyone through the ‘Power of 1’ Campaign. Through this campaign they hope to get across the message that one act can encourage a Veteran, a service member and their families. By supporting them and encouraging the use of resources like The Veterans Crisis Line, one person can make the difference in the life of someone who might be struggling.

What is The Veterans Crisis Line? It is a free, confidential crisis resource that can be accessed by service members, their families and their friends 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Don’t be afraid to be the one that makes a move when you or someone you know is in crisis. Do not let fear or worry about what happens next stop you from getting help for yourself or someone you know.

If you, or someone you know exhibits the following signs don’t hesistate to act:

1. Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
2. Talking about death or dying
3. Self-destructive behaviors – drug abuse, alcohol, weapons

We must stand up for change! Demand change from those in power, and be the example of change for those around us. There is no tiime to waste and we can’t afford to sit around and not take action. Life is too precious and valuable for that.

Share the #PowerOf1 with as many people as possible and join us on social media with the hashtag
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DCmetro, Deployment, health, mental health, military, military mental health, military monday, pts, TBI, USO, Wounded Warrior

Military Monday – Warrior and Family Center opens in Bethesda

April 21, 2014 No Comments

The USO recently opened their second Warrior and Family Center in the DC area. This particular one has opened its doors steps from the National Medical Center Walter Reed. It couldn’t be a more perfect location for one to open, and trust me it has been a long time coming. When I had the pleasure to speak with then President of the USO, Sloan Gibson, he was bursting at the seams to talk about these facilities. It was one of my first interviews with someone like that and I was a littler nervous. But to hear him speak about his dream of opening these immediately put me at ease. There was a lot of thought that went into designing and building these two buildings, which started to be discussed way back in 2009. Warriors and their families were interviewed concerning design, and the number one request (which was granted) was a learning center of sorts for transitioning. Within these walls you can music therapy, recording area, playing area, art classes and fly fishing. TVs, computers, quiet areas and game rooms.

And while the name Warrior and Family Center implies that this is specifically for our nation’s wounded, however this is not the case. The USOs doors are open to all military, and I have experienced the building myself. They are both truly beautiful and feel like home, which is the whole purpose I’m sure.

The second facility is beautiful, and I almost like the design of the second better. It is a much more open facility, as far as the feel. Lots of windows with very wide hallways, sort of an open great room if you will. The ribbon cutting was a wonderful time, hearing the words of those that designed and constructed it. How it affected them, and how many of the construction and design team have signed on to become to volunteers themselves. It affects people and hearing that is really touching.

The excitement over the building was electric, everyone was smiling and they all spoke of the same things. They were beyond thrilled to see this building in action, so close to where it is most needed. I will say this, we are in desperate need of an overhaul in the way we are treating the wounded. And we aren’t speaking of just the physical wounds. There was a Forbes article that discussed some of the startling numbers of “Invisible Wounds” as they are referred to. The numbers were listed as reported on the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. The total number of TBI diagnosis by the DoD is over 290,000. It is important to note that not all of the injuries are deployment related. In fact 80% are the result of a non-deployment injury (ex: car accident). But the injury is there, regardless of how it was required, and should be treated. When broken down the study doesn’t reveal how the injuries were received, just the severity of them; however according to the Rand Corporation in a 2008 press release 20 percent of those have returned report symptoms of TBI and depression. Most, as we are all aware, do not receive treatment because of the stigma attached to physiological issues; but for those that do, only half of them receive treatment considered “minimally adequate”. This is one of the reasons why I believe what the USO has to offer is extremely valuable. This is a chance to make things right. To operate off the concept that I heard repeated over and over that day – a 360 degree concept of care. I wish there was one of these centers at every single base.

With the President of the USO DC Metro My total geek moment with Miss America!!!!

It’s a step in the right direction; and when you hear those in power express understanding and an actual concern for what is happening it helps. I wish they would talk about it more, all the time, every day. This will change, I know it will. Soon, the stigma will be less and less. It won’t happen overnight, because it took longer than that for the problem to happen. But this is an opportunity for those in power, either at the National Level of the military and individual unit leaders, to really effect change. I’m excited at the possibilities for our military members.
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#militarymonday, mental health, military, pts, Suicide Prevention, TBI

It’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Month….now what?

September 24, 2013 No Comments

There are many months of the year that are dedicated to some sort of cause or awareness, some of which are great, some of which you’re thinking “okay, we need a specific month to think about this?” Some, like September and its Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, make me stop and think. We have this month, to think about it, but so what? I mean, its great that we’re thinking about it, but what are we actually DOING about it? I think we are just now starting to really pay attention to this, things are just starting to move, and people are admitting we have a problem. Resources are being put out there, by Veterans and civilians alike, because I think the realization that the numbers are becoming staggering is coming into play. Too many military members are committing suicide because its their only way out, and their only way to deal with things. And what about all the people who are left behind, and the trauma they have now experienced by a friend or family member, or just a fellow soldier in their unit ending their life?

The statistics are there, we see them in every article. In the 2011 DoDSER (DoD Suicide Event Report) it cited the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, and its report that stated 301 service members died by suicide, and a staggering 915 attempted it. Programs are created, talks are given, and even last year the Army had an entire ‘Stand Down’ day, where no one (except essential personnel) worked. Instead they all attended training. The numbers keep on rising despite all this, and the military seems to be baffled. But what is the answer? I was talking to few friends, originally wanting to get their thoughts on where the disconnect might actually be. Is it fear, is it lack of training and resources for family members, is it lack of the right resources, or is it something else. As I began to think about it, in the five seconds it took me to ask the all, I wondered something. Maybe its the fact that there isn’t one right answer. Maybe that’s how we operate, or how the military operates. There is a solution to the problem, you apply it, its fixed. One of my friends was thinking the same thing I was. There isn’t one right answer, “there’s as many reasons for suicide as there are people,” one of the my friends said. You know, I think she’s right. Maybe its not the solution that we should be looking for. Maybe we should be looking at how we get the solutions (plural) to the people they need to go to.

In a conversation with Major Ed Puldio (WarriorsForFreedom.org) and Dr. Dan Reidenberg (SAVE.org) the focus wasn’t on a specific program, but making sure those that needed help, go the help they needed. In 2004 Major Pulido was injured by an IED. He realized that despite what he wanted for himself, to go on with his military career despite his physical and emotional injuries, there were other things for him to do out there. He hopes that others won’t be scared to finally get that help either. Fear of losing your career isn’t worth the long term loss to yourself, your friends and your family.

There seems to be a multi-solution for all of those involved in the conversation last week. Peer-to-Peer mentors, education in the workplace (for National Guard and Reserve), raising awareness for general medical providers, for law enforcement and giving tools to family members. One of the most unique of these programs was the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, a unique program that has set its sights on changing the face of mental illness and suicide. Their program, Working Minds, provides tools and training to enable business to battle suicide head on. Please read more about the Carson J. Spencer Foundation, a Colorado based organization, on their website. It’s organizations like these that are realizing, like I did, that there is no one way to “solve” the issue of suicide. There’s a magic pill that everyone can take a suddenly everything will be okay.

How is your community, base and/or state tackling the issue of mental health and wellness? How would you help those dealing with thoughts of suicide?

You can find a growing list of resources by clicking on the Military Mental Health tab at the top of my blog. See that I’m missing a resource, please let me know!

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