This week's discussion on ableism was an eye opener for. Carol, you are truly inspiring. I don't think I have ever met a more passionate person than you :)
"Mass Psychiatric Casualties" by Dave Grossman pointed out a type 'disability' that plague those who are usually seen as brave and strong. This specific article made me think of my friends who are currently serving, so I associated this small portion of the text to the post traumatic stress disorder that some soldiers get after coming home from the combat zone. It is normal to feel scared, frightened, or sad, but if these feelings are not addressed properly they can manifest themselves into severe emotions that can be potentially dangerous. Replaying over and over unpleasant memories, PTSD can affect everyone, but for a soldier the feelings of safety and security are especially absent. If severe enough, most cannot live a normal life.
I found a very powerful (and tearful) story about a solider, Brandon Garrison, who tells his story of having PTSD. Let me know what you guys think.
http://www.military.com/news/article/a-soldiers-struggle-with-ptsd.html
It's a disorder most of us cannot comprehend because we are not in those shoes. Back in 2009, 245 soldiers took their own lives. I personally think that's 245 too many. In the first half of 2010, 145 soldiers took their own lives. There is a heavy stigma that comes along with mental health, which leads most to negatively associate it with getting the right services. There is an army suicide prevention hotline, but is that enough? It was only three decades ago that PTSD was recognized, and in 1980 it was formally in the DSM as an illness. And recently it was through past wars that the awareness has just started to make an impact. During June of 2010 last year, Senator Kent Conrad marked June 27th as PTSD awareness day, a big step in the process of healing. As unfortunate as it is, I feel as if there should be much more that we can do. With the billions of dollars going towards the entertainment industry and other miscellaneous forms, do you think it would be possible for society as whole to recalculate our money and put it towards where it should be going? Not only towards the educational system or the welfare system but, also specifically to those who risk their lives for us?
Edit: 11/16/11
I love dogs, so I just wanted to share this awesome picture! Always there for us; "Angels with fur"
http://www.military.com/news/article/a-soldiers-struggle-with-ptsd.html
It's a disorder most of us cannot comprehend because we are not in those shoes. Back in 2009, 245 soldiers took their own lives. I personally think that's 245 too many. In the first half of 2010, 145 soldiers took their own lives. There is a heavy stigma that comes along with mental health, which leads most to negatively associate it with getting the right services. There is an army suicide prevention hotline, but is that enough? It was only three decades ago that PTSD was recognized, and in 1980 it was formally in the DSM as an illness. And recently it was through past wars that the awareness has just started to make an impact. During June of 2010 last year, Senator Kent Conrad marked June 27th as PTSD awareness day, a big step in the process of healing. As unfortunate as it is, I feel as if there should be much more that we can do. With the billions of dollars going towards the entertainment industry and other miscellaneous forms, do you think it would be possible for society as whole to recalculate our money and put it towards where it should be going? Not only towards the educational system or the welfare system but, also specifically to those who risk their lives for us?
Edit: 11/16/11
I love dogs, so I just wanted to share this awesome picture! Always there for us; "Angels with fur"
WoW! That's shocking to me that a great number of soldiers are taking their lives, I didn't know that. As far as recalculating our money to put it towards where it should be going, I think that is something that is impossible. Already half of the US budget goes to the military and to put in more money is a lot. Although it will benefit people I know, my fiance, I think that the money that they already have should be reevaluated and use a portion of their money to deal with PTSD and other disorders, if they're not already.
ReplyDeleteThanh,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this valuable information. I had no idea of some of the particular statistics related to PTSD that you shared with us. With PTSD being still in its "infant" stage, there is much still to learn. Hopefully others will follow Senator Conrad's actions in heightening the public's awareness of PTSD.
Thanh, that article was incredible. Heart-wrenching but a powerful image of the struggle our soldiers may face when re-entering society. I am thankful they are fighting for us all and completely agree that our countries funds need to be re-assessed to more fully accommodate the psychological needs of soldiers returning home.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle served in Vietnam and till this day has never talked about it with his wife. There is another world and painful experiences that I feel we, who have not experienced combat, will never fully understand. But where our experiences are lacking, empathy can come in.