Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Urgent need!

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Urgent need!

    I have an acquaintance that severed in the Iraqi war. He served two terms in 2003. He is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or what ever it is called... badly! He has tried to get help at the St. Louis Veterans Administration Hospital. He says there are no counselors there that have been in a war zone. All the counselors that have war experience are over seas and the military has no program for rotating the US counselors through the war zone to get familiar with the mental problems that come with combat. So here is what I need for him. Does anyone here know of an kind of counseling done with people that know what is going on over there and can help someone like my friend? When he went to the VA hospital the counselors there said to him in effect "This is your problem, what are you going to do about it!" My wife and I are beginning to fear for his life. He tries to keep busy all day and go to bed exhausted. He says that keeps down the number of nightmares and flashbacks he has every night. So, if you know anyone that may be able to help him, please let me know. Thank you for reading this.
    Jack
    J.D."Jack" Smith
    1980G&S "Halfbreed"
    1978E straight job
    "We the people are the rightful masters of both congress and the courts, not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the constitution." Abraham Lincoln

    Life is like a coin, you can choose to spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. Make your choices wisely.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    help

    Hi,

    I have lots of experience working in mental health, with degrees to match , for 15yrs here in tricities mi, he can have my phone number and IM me if he has a special need to unload. I am not military nor do I have experience with military, there is no magic, but I am willing to be available by phone or IM. He will need a family physician that can prescribe antidepressants if they are necessary. Suicide is mostly preventable, and the main thing is that someone is available that cares when he needs it. All counties in the country generally have some suicide hotline, he should make use of the one in your county also, its for the most part 24/7 as I understand it.
    80 MNS , Georgefix pods , crossed fuel lines, no octy, inline filters, Daytona handlebar, custom seat, Hardley 19 muffs

    Comment

    • #3
      Thanks, tadtl1!

      I will give him the info, I have a little trouble with pushing too hard, then he backs away, so I just give him the info and if he is interested, he will talk to me. thanks again.
      Jack
      J.D."Jack" Smith
      1980G&S "Halfbreed"
      1978E straight job
      "We the people are the rightful masters of both congress and the courts, not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the constitution." Abraham Lincoln

      Life is like a coin, you can choose to spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. Make your choices wisely.

      Comment

      • #4
        hey, I know it's kinda secondary help to what you're asking for but, when my dad was having trouble getting the VA to work with him putting his disability (not for PTSD) through he got in touch with his congressman and that really helped move things along. JAT, it might behoove your friend to get in touch with his and see if there's anything the congressman can do to help him get things moving.
        1980 XS11SG
        Dunlop elite 3's, progressive fork springs, tkat brace
        Stock motor, airbox, carbs, exhaust
        ratted out, mean, and nasty

        Comment

        • #5
          Thanks, BigDick.

          I had not thought about that, thank you!!! And thanks to everyone who thinks about my friend. God's blessing on all.
          Jack
          J.D."Jack" Smith
          1980G&S "Halfbreed"
          1978E straight job
          "We the people are the rightful masters of both congress and the courts, not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the constitution." Abraham Lincoln

          Life is like a coin, you can choose to spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. Make your choices wisely.

          Comment

          • #6
            Yeah my suggestion is 2nd rate too, but like BD said, the VA Hospitals aren't exactly known for their promptness. My dad has been dealing with the VA for years and still hardly gets anywhere when he needs it.

            I have a cousin who has served 3 tours in Afganistan. He's pretty sound minded still but bottles up his experiences. He has joined a veterans riding club, and they are the best support he has ever found. Maybe you could talk the man into buying a Harley and looking up some comrades. If anything, he needs to be around others who have been through the same ****. Even if he doesn't have a bike, we all know how friendly the biker crowds are. All we need is one thing in common to be friendly towards each other.
            "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

            Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by Yard Dogg View Post
              I have a cousin who has served 3 tours in Afganistan. He's pretty sound minded still but bottles up his experiences. He has joined a veterans riding club, and they are the best support he has ever found. Maybe you could talk the man into buying a Harley and looking up some comrades. If anything, he needs to be around others who have been through the same ****. Even if he doesn't have a bike, we all know how friendly the biker crowds are. All we need is one thing in common to be friendly towards each other.
              Didn't think of this, gotta second that. I'm guessing PTSD is the same no matter which war you served in. If you could get him around other vets (the local Veteran of Foreign Wars post, or something similar) I'm pretty sure they'd have resources, support groups or what have you, that'd benefit him. It's like what you're looking for, trying to get the therapist at the VA that's actually seen combat, most of those guys have and know or have some idea of what your friend is going through.
              1980 XS11SG
              Dunlop elite 3's, progressive fork springs, tkat brace
              Stock motor, airbox, carbs, exhaust
              ratted out, mean, and nasty

              Comment

              • #8
                He should also contact IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America), and here is a VA suicide hotline number if he needs it.

                http://iava.org/

                If you need help now, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to a professional counselor at a VA call center.
                Call to speak to a crisis worker about someone you're concerned about
                What unit was he in? I was there in 2003/04.

                VA help line if he hasn't already used it....

                The National Veterans Foundation serves the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through its toll-free helpline: 1-888-777-4443 (available daily 9AM-9PM PST). Outreach services also provide veterans and families in need with food, clothing, transportation, employment, and other essential resources.


                I hope he can get past his difficulties in good shape...he's not alone. A lot of guys coming back are having troubles.
                Last edited by Guy_b_g; 04-11-2010, 03:56 PM.
                Guy

                '78E

                Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur

                Comment

                • #9
                  From military.com;

                  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Information and Links

                  http://forums.military.com/eve/forum.../4230026980001

                  Don
                  currently own;
                  1980 Yamaha XS1100 SG
                  2009 Yamaha Star Raider

                  Comment

                  Previous template Next
                  Working...
                  X