Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

18 Veterans Attempt Suicide Every Day. Troubling new data show there are an average of 950 suicide attempts each month by veterans who are receiving some type of treatment from The Department of Veterans Affairs.

How To Get Help   Veterans Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-8255 - Press 1 VA’s suicide hotline has been receiving about 10,000 calls a month from current and former service members. Vietnam veterans have been instrumental in pushing for PTSD awareness among the military hierarchy, government officials and civilian communities. For veterans, understanding the symptoms and seeking early treatment is critical for successfully living with the disorder. But, civilians can help too.

About PTSD PTSD is one of the signature medical issues for returning combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. So, it’s important that the civilian community from employers to educators understand and know how to help those living with PTSD. Seven percent of the attempts are successful, and 11 percent of those who don’t succeed on the first attempt try again within nine months. The numbers, which come at a time when VA is strengthening its suicide prevention programs, show about 18 veteran suicides a day, about five by veterans who are receiving VA care. Access to care appears to be a key factor, officials said, noting that once a veteran is inside the VA care program, screening programs are in place to identify those with problems, and special efforts are made to track those considered at high risk, such as monitoring whether they are keeping appointments. A key part of the new data shows the suicide rate is lower for veterans aged 18 to 29 who are using VA health care services than those who are not. That leads VA officials to believe that about 250 lives have been saved each year as a result of VA treatment. Rick Maze – Armytimes.com

Ways You Can Help: 1.Understand that anyone can experience trauma, such as accidents, assault, war, or disasters. 2.Think broadly. When trauma happens, the survivor’s family, friends,coworkers, and community are affected. 3.Learn about common reactions to trauma and readjustment to life outside a war zone. 4.Be aware of where to get help for trauma survivors, Veterans, and people with PTSD. 5.Expand your understanding of how PTSD is identified and treated. 6.Know that treatment for PTSD works. 7.Ask a Veteran or trauma survivor if talking would help, but do not push if someone is not ready to discuss things. 8.Realize that stigma is a barrier to getting treatment. Getting people to talk or seek help is not always easy. Your encouragement matters. 9.Know the facts. More than half of US adults will experience trauma in their lifetime. About 7% of adults will deal with PTSD at some point. For Veterans and male / female sexual assault survivors, the figure is higher. 10.Connect with self-help resources, apps, and videos about PTSD. The list is courtesy of the VA National Center for PTSD.

Easing PTSD PTSD combined with Homelessness Can Be A Huge Factor In Depression & Anxiety - that leads to suicide attempts and sometimes successes by our service men & women. We can help end this cycle of destruction - simply by giving our soldiers a home so that they can re-group and regain a love for themselves as they once had for their country. Housing Brings Peace Our transitional housing program provides a caring supportive environment to allow our veterans to rebuild their lives by returning the dignity of self sufficiency lost to the circumstances that left them homeless. The Veterans Empowerment Organization Of Georgia works in conjunction with many partner agencies to provide a comprehensive support environment.

FACTORS OF VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Chronic Sleep Deprivation