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Farr's Mission: Better Tools, Law Enforcement Response to Returning Veterans in Crisis
"Every day, people all across the country do solid work to help veterans successfully transition from combat to civilian life. Every effort has meaning. Every person donates uniquely to the pool. Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of these individuals: Darin C. Farr of the Utah Department of Veterans Affairs.
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"Moving a Nation to Care" Subject of Extensive Book Review Essay in VA's Premiere "Veterans Law Review"
"Written by Holly Seesel, Mary Sorisio, and Paul Sorisio -- Associate Counsel with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals at the Department of Veterans Affairs -- the 24-page 'book review essay' provides an in-depth look at both my book (Moving a Nation to Care) and that by Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., and Daryl S. Paulson (Haunted by Combat)."
Update on OEF/OIF Veterans' Mental Health, VA Benefit Issues
Building upon some of the data-rich news clips shared earlier this week, a few more grafs to consider.
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on VA Gaps in Female Client Care
While most in Washington have been busily paying attention to the Sotomayor hearings this week, the Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee met Tuesday morning to consider the quality of VA care provided to our nation's 1.8 million female veterans.
Houston Chronicle: Culture of secrecy a factor in the rise of military suicides
The Department of the Army has finally gone public and acknowledged the alarming rate of suicide among its ranks. While Army leadership is to be commended for breaking the barrier of silence regarding mental illness in the military, the underlying culture of secrecy that has contributed to the current trend is in dire need of reform.
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According to figures obtained by the Associated Press, there has been a steady increase in suicides since 2003, totaling 450 active duty soldiers, with the highest numbers occurring in the past year. Military suicides vary considerably between branches of the service, with the Army and Marine Corps frequently reaching the highest annual rates. Longer and more frequent deployments and the primacy of ground combat operations are factors often blamed for the Army’s higher rates of physical injury, mental illness and suicide.
In October 2008, the Army announced a five-year, $50 million collaborative study with the National Institute of Mental Health to address suicide. In a rare public admission of the urgency of the problem, Dr. S. Ward Cassells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, stated in the New York Times, “We’ve reached a point where we do need some outside help.” Such efforts are encouraging but will yield little immediate assistance to active duty soldiers, returning veterans and their families.
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Add Sticky Note
It is notable that the Army only began keeping records on suicides in 1980, a policy likely fueled by the cascade of attempted and successful suicides by Vietnam veterans. In 1983, with the introduction of the diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, the military and VA began, finally, to acknowledge the debilitating effects of this combat-related trauma reaction. Increased risk of suicide is among the many symptoms of the half-million Vietnam veterans diagnosed with chronic PTSD. Using the most conservative estimates, there may be as many as 75,000 active duty military or recently discharged veterans with PTSD or significant symptoms of PTSD, according to psychologist Alan Peterson of the University of Texas. Peterson is a researcher with a multidisciplinary consortium recently awarded a $25 million Department of Defense grant to study behavioral treatments for PTSD.
To date, there has been no comprehensive epidemiological study on military suicides resulting from PTSD. In 1988, however, the Centers for Disease Control presented congressional testimony, confirming 9,000 suicides among Vietnam combat veterans.
- Important to note: There has not been a comprehensive epidemiological study done on military suicides as a result of PTSD as of this late date? I suppose if we don't study and quantify the problem, it is easier to dismiss -- and more difficult to treat as well. - on 2009-03-13
Army Times - News - VA to review veterans’ PTSD cases
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The number of vets receiving compensation benefits for the illness rose nearly 80 percent between 1999 and 2004 — from 120,265 to 215,871. During the same period, benefits for all types of disabilities grew by just 12 percent, to about 2.5 million.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Iraq war reopens wounds for veterans
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veterans, most from the Vietnam era, earlier this year.More than half the vets said war in Iraq has brought back
painful memories, and 42 percent described the war as very
or extremely upsetting to them. About half said the conflict
had triggered such symptoms as heightened psychological or
emotional stress, hyper-vigilance and sleep problems.
Specialized PTSD Treatment Programs in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs // National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
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The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers provides a network of
more than 100 specialized programs for veterans with PTSD and works closely with
the Vet Centers operated by VA's
Readjustment Counseling Service.
101st soldiers among victims of war stress - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 08/08/06 - Tennessean.com
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I can usually get a visit once a month (at Mountain Home VA Medical Center) for PTSD counseling," Durman said. "The people there are really trying, they are just undermanned. They were understaffed before the war started. It's overwhelming them."
Snapshot of How VA Budget Shortfall is Hurting Veterans
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The VA claims that
by shifting funds dedicated to replace old equipment and conduct maintenance the
department can address its budget shortfall and meet veterans’ demand for
timely, high–quality health care. The following snapshots from across the
nation reflect the stark reality of the budget shortfall on veterans’ access to
safe, high quality care.
Government's 50 Greatest Endeavors: Support Veterans' Readjustment and Training
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The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com
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A proposal by the Veterans Administration hospital to renovate ceiling structures and air management systems on some wards has at least one employee concerned the work could be a ploy to permanently close a 14-bed detoxification unit.
Vallejo Times Herald - Monday, July 24
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Everyone is aware of our brave men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Bush administration has extended the tour of duty of our soldiers over and over again, pushing our troops to the point of exhaustion and into the real problems of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD and multiple physical injuries.
But are you aware of the third war our troops face when they get home?
WCFCourier.com | The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier Online!
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Since returning from Iraq in March 2005, Nolan has been unable to work due to the disorder. Severe anxiety, panic attacks, sleep deprivation, rage issues --- all symptoms of PTSD --- have made it hard to function at home and in society, let alone to obtain and hold a job.
Stars & Stripes
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Substance abuse often goes hand in hand with post-traumatic stress
disorder, a psychiatric condition that affects roughly 15 percent of Vietnam
veterans and perhaps as much as 17 percent of Iraq veterans
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