Team Redstone ’s Post

Conflict and combat are as old as humanity, but too often they leave silent and ignored remnants in survivors that lead to symptoms that create difficulties in their everyday lives. “Soldier’s Heart,” “Shell Shock” and “Battle Fatigue” are early attempts to diagnose the symptoms exhibited by Soldiers in war. It took humanity until the 20th century to truly begin to understand the devastating effects of combat, and it was 1980 before post-traumatic stress disorder became a mental diagnosis. “Everybody who has dealt with trauma, deals with post-traumatic stress. The stress is, ‘I’m having a hard time with this,’” Chaplain (Col.) Mark Morgan, command chaplain, Space and Missile Defense Command, said. “It doesn’t become a disorder until it causes issues or causes you not to be able to relate in society.” Col. Dennis Williams, deputy chief of staff, G-4, for the Space and Missile Defense Command, is among the nearly one in three veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom who have at some point in their lives been diagnosed with PTSD. He joined the Army Reserve in December 1993 and commissioned as an officer in the active Army in 2000. During his years of military service, he has deployed to a combat zone five times. From October 2006 to January 2008, Williams deployed to Iraq, which he calls the worst deployment he has ever had. “We lost a total of 17 Soldiers in my battalion that rotation, and at the time, that was deployment number three for me,” Williams said. “And just being over there, and that constant combat for 15 consecutive months. You know, it was just a lot. It was a lot on the Soldier, a lot on the leadership.” #IraqiFreedomVeteran #EnduringFreedomVets #MilitaryMentalHealth #VeteranSupport #PTSDAwareness #Army #News #Huntsville #Madison #RedstoneArsenal #localnews

"During and since the Vietnam War, American combat leaders developed a policy and personal commitment of never leaving a warrior on the battlefield. Living, wounded or dead, every effort is made to physically bring our warriors home. Psychologically, we have not achieved that goal. Far from the bullets, explosions and death, the victims of what is now being identified as post-traumatic stress disorder are still living the battles and suffering the results of their experiences. Rather than decreasing from Vietnam numbers, the PTSD casualties from America’s Global War on Terrorism has escalated at an alarming rate. Wounds resulting in loss of legs, arms and other parts of the body are immediately identifiable. The unseen wounds are more difficult. It took a long time to realize the seriousness and extent of brain injuries resulting from explosions. Even more difficult to identify and address is traumatic stress. No physical exam or X-ray can detect it. It is not a simple problem with an easy one-cure-fits-all solution." - Wes Martin, retired U.S. Army Colonel Later in the article, Project Healing Waters is mentioned as a "out-of-the-box" method that has helped thousands of veterans after their transition. Read more through the below link.

Something to think about

Discover more about operational stress injuries (OSIs) and recommended therapies from the newest addition as part of the Mood Disorders of Canada public educational resource series. ➡ https://lnkd.in/d3mShJ6y #OSIs #operationalstress #military #veterans #PTSD #stressinjuries #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness

I've recently shared insights on the significance of Community Health and fostering a sense of belonging, particularly crucial for Veterans and the general public alike. Check out my latest article that provides an alternative look at post-traumatic stress after military service: https://lnkd.in/gfpTuX8b #CommunityHealth #Belonging #Veterans #PTSD

(PTSD) Month. #PTSDAwareness Today, June 27th, marks National PTSD Awareness Day where awareness is made about PTSD, a mental health disorder that may develop after someone is exposed to one or more traumatic events. Trauma comes in many forms and affects everyone differently. If left untreated, PTSD can severely impact an individual’s daily activities and diminish quality of life. Know that you are not alone. Anyone who may be struggling from PTSD, whether it be service-related or from personal life experiences, to reach out and find help and support from any of the following resources: ◽ Call the Veterans/Military Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call (800) 273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at https://lnkd.in/eW8-kJN. ◽ Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-8255, or text the Crisis Text Line — text HELLO to 741741. Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are confidential. ◽ Call 988 anytime to speak with a crisis counselor. The call is confidential and free. ◽ Chat online with a crisis counselor at 988lifeline.org. ◽ Visit Military OneSource for 24/7 access to information and support #ptsd

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue describing a person’s difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. #PTSD may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions. At some point in their life, 7% of veterans will have PTSD. Today, for National Stress Awareness Day, we want to uplift an important resource provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: the Veterans Crisis Line. If you are a #veteran in crisis - or know one - the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you: https://lnkd.in/d_PNaU2.

 Rising Levels of Mental Exhaustion in The British Army: Share your thoughts Speaking to my friends and colleagues across various units I realised a common trend in our conversations, hence my decision to write this short article. The British Army is grappling with unprecedented levels of mental exhaustion among its ranks. A significant reduction in the workforce combined with increased operational commitments has placed an enormous strain on soldiers. The relentless demand for a constant state of readiness exacerbates this issue, leaving little time for recovery and mental rejuvenation. Soldiers are expected to handle multifaceted missions with fewer resources, intensifying stress and fatigue. This relentless pressure is not just diminishing morale but also impacting overall mental health. It's imperative to address these challenges by ensuring adequate support systems, reasonable workloads, and mental health resources to sustain the well-being of those who serve. Immediate action is crucial to safeguard the mental resilience of our armed forces and maintain their operational effectiveness.

This new study delves into the factors behind PTSD development in former UK Army and Royal Marine personnel post Iraq and Afghanistan service. Findings reveal that while military structures initially help manage PTSD, the shift to civilian life often disrupts these supports, exacerbating symptoms for many. #MilitaryMentalHealth #PTSD #Veterans #MentalHealthResearch #UKVeterans

“As the population of women veterans continues to grow, understanding their unique challenges and needs is critical. Prior research has shown that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk is higher among individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions, those who experience combat or sexual assault, and women….” https://lnkd.in/eNV2RvnR #PTSDAwareness #neverfightalone #vetptsd #veteransptsdawareness #USVeterans #military #militaryveterans #VeteransMatter #Veterans #HaveTheFinalSay #veteransbenefits #rlbartlettlegal #bartlettlegalgroup