PTSD: soldiers not getting what they need
by Morra Aarons Mele

Here is the story of Jonathan Schulze, a Marine who killed himself upon return from Iraq.

On January 11, 2007, accompanied by his parents, he went to the VA hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota and told people at that VA facility that he was thinking of killing himself. They told Schulze that they could not admit him as a patient and sent him on his way.

The next day, January 12, Schulze called the VA, reiterating that he was feeling suicidal. He was told that he was number 26 on the waiting list.

A man who had risked his life in Iraq and done everything that was asked of him by the United States government, was told by that same government that his sacrifice would be repaid by being 26th on a list of Veterans similarly crying out for help.

Today, Bob Geiger wrote of this young Marine who, upon returning from Iraq suffered terrible Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Shunted by mental health services at the VA, he killed himself after repeatedly asking for help. Like many social services, mental health care is an increasingly scarce resource in the US. For our armed forces, this has terrible consequences.

Kim Ponders wrote a few days ago about how Iraq war veterans with symptoms of PTSD can benefit from yoga. Kim mentions that such benefits are provided by privately funded organizations.

Why doesn't the national Veteran's Administration encourage yoga and other holistic solutions to the complex and often disastrous effects of PTSD? While they recommend classic psychotherapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), there seems to be little incentive for vets to try alternative approaches (though, interestingly, the VA does recommend yoga for people suffering from hepatitis c).

The VA talks about the benefits of psychotherapy for returning soldiers, but it is mere rhetoric? Several journalists have covered the Government's inadequate provision of mental health services and healing techniques for veterans returning from Iraq, even though the Army itself estimates 20-25% of Iraq War veterans display signs of serious mental health problems. If you're interested in this topic, NPR's Daniel Zwerdling covered the story in December, and it's jarring, important reading. Click here for the archive. Click here for stories from listeners- also compelling.

Is the lack of adequate publicly-funded psychologic and psychiatric care for veterans economically driven? Is it because we continue to stigmatize those who suffer from depression, PTSD, and other disorders? Is it part of the larger systemic cuts in mental health services from private and public insurers alike?

On another note, Speaker Pelosi just returned from Iraq. She had this to say on her return:

"We went to Iraq convinced, I am speaking for myself, that the war could not be won solely by military means. Our military has done their jobs excellently, but they cannot be expected to do all that needs to be done alone. We went with the hope and expectation that what we would see in Iraq was some coordinated effort to have political solutions to relieve the civil strife and violence there and diplomatic efforts to bring stability to the region. Sadly, we saw no evidence of either.

If any readers have experience with or knowledge of the VA and mental health treatment, please share.

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele (view blog) on Wed, 01/31/2007 - 15:02
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Comments

 

I am the wife of a Vietnam

I am the wife of a Vietnam combat Veteran with PTSD. I am wife #4. Although my husband goes out of his way to spoil me, and he says he does this to keep me from leaving him.Everyday of my life is like walking on egg shells,riding a rollercoaster, and is very tense when he is around. I am always on the defensive, protecting my kids (his step kids) from his harsh verbally abusive words, and on rare occassion the back of a hand. We never know when he will flip out, or what will set him off. PTSD leaves a life time of emotional damage.He knows he isnt quite right in the mind, but doesnt know how to "fix it".
My husband is in counseling now, but we are not. I cant stress how badly I need counseling. My nerves are shot. I make excuses for this man. I love this man dearly.I promised him I would never leave him as all the ex wives did. I see the good things in this man, the beautiful soul, the desire to get better.The deperate need to be loved.
There is no magic answer to my situation. I should have kept my children away from him, but could not help from falling in love with the real person inside. Yes he is damaged. Can he get better? I doubt it. Does he derserve my love? Defiantely! I am proud of my husband. He works hard to provide for us. HE was drafted right out of high school and dropped in the middle of Tet of 68 in Phu Loi Vietnam. He served his country, he was attacked by the viet cong, he witnessed a boobytrapped child explode when he was shot for attempting to throw a gernade at my husbands jeep. he turned down a a purple heart.
We are volunteers with the Traveling Vietnam Wall now. He is a good man. He is medicated now, although it doesn't always help. How can you go to war and not be messed up? My husband was the guy who picked up the bodies, or parts and put them in body bags. This was a peaceful man thrown into an unfair war, only to be spit on for serving his country.
He deserves my repsect, as all veterans do.

Submitted by Shelley-p on Sat, 02/03/2007 - 00:08
 

Hi all. I am Jonathan's

Hi all. I am Jonathan's oldest Brother, the Marine we are talking about.

Our family has 10 veterans (1 Navy, 5 Army, 3 Marines, 1 Air Force). So believe me....we have experience with the VA and Jon had strong family support.

I've seen posts from people asking why Jon did not go right to a civilian hospital. Well, Jon did not have private insurance and the cost to do so would have been even more of a burden to Jon whom did not need anymore issues to worry about, especially with one 6 month daughter and one on the way!

Jon has a long history with the VA. He regulary went to the VA for help, so it's not like he just showed up and asked to be admitted. Every time he went for evaluations he usually had to wait hours just to even get the chance to see a doctor.

People ask why the family did not do more....we tried hard. At this point the only thing we could have done was lock him up in a room...he was his own man and made his own decisions...this was impossible. Although, Jon came from a strong line of military heritage it was the "So Called" professionals at the VA that should have caught/red flagged the severity of his PTSD! They had several years on record.

Jon was your poster child for PTSD and the Gov. failed him badly. He saw and was involved in some of the worst combat since Vietnam.

From a military family history and die hard patriotic family......we have lost faith for the first time in 70 years.

I'm telling you the VA will cover their backs. I would not believe a word they say. I know first hand WHAT HAPPENED. Shame on them!

How can our government spend 600 BILLION on the war and fund so little on our military heros? I'm almost ashamed to be an American these days.

If your curious ask and I will reply where I can.

Please contact your Congressmen and Senator's. Express your concerns.

Best regards,
Jon Schulze's Brother

Submitted by 19D_Scout on Sat, 02/03/2007 - 14:37
 

Thank you for your comment, tell us more

I apologize, I didn't see this earlier.
First, I am so sorry for your loss.

If you get this, please reply and tell us who to contact- the Congresspeople with the strongest relationship to this issue.

Reply to the community and tell them how to help...
Thank you.
Morra

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Wed, 02/14/2007 - 05:25
 

PTSD resources from Bobby Muller, head of
Veterans for America

Apropos to some posts and comments on how returning vets can get resources they need to cope with PTSD, Bobby Muller, head of Veterans for America, provided this excellent advice for those seeking information about how to handle PTSD:

“We have a good resource guide up on our web site veteransforamerica.org. When you go to the site go to the community tag; under it you will find resource guide which lists all sorts of areas veterans can get info and referal stuff.

The one on PTSD is here.

I found that the best general referral is to Vet Centers. These are the more storefront type places that are not hospital based and understand the PTSD issue the best.”

Submitted by Morra Aarons Mele on Sun, 02/25/2007 - 10:24
 

PTSD, VA, REALITY...

I found your blog on the advice of a friend.

No, I am not a woman.

However, I think there are valuable resources which should be made available to ALL Veterans, regardless of conflict, duty status, or era. Therefor, I have gathered a copious amount of said info here:

http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=55

~~~~~~~~~

More directly, concerning the matter of PTSD, I have recently been adjudicated as 100% Service Connected Disabled for PTSD from Project SHAD/112. It only took me 35 YEARS to get this far...!!!

To find out WHY and to inform yourself regarding a matter you are most likely NOT conversant with go here:

http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14556

~~~~~~~~

Specific info on PTSD is here:

http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=81888

~~~~~~~~~~

It appears some of the participants here are politically connected. Good.

Please take the Project SHAD/112 information to heart even though there were most likely not any female participants. Women still lost fathers, brothers, uncles and loved ones in the process. The malformed and still born and sickened children also deserve your attention.

If you're inclined to care, check out and support the "Veterans Right to Know Act" initiated in the House by Mike Thompson of California and Denny Rehberg of Montana

Thank you,

J.B. Stone, Human Test Rat
Project SHAD, 1969

Submitted by J.B. Stone on Sun, 06/17/2007 - 04:54
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