1 out of every 5 Soldiers returning home suffers from PTSD.
They say it is 9 times more likely if they have served in Afghanistan or served multiple deployments in Iraq. Also it is important that we realize Vets from Vietnam, WW2, the Korean wars also suffers from PTSD, which was earlier referred to shell shock. PTSD can lead into many issues including self-medicating with drinking and drugs, homelessness, jail sentences for DWI's. They really need our help. Raising awareness and revealing the truth is the first step.. And having the issues clearly pointed out. With some clarity, there’s a better chance to finding the help that’s needed and in a more timely fashion, SAVING LIVES!!!
With that being said,.. Have you heard of Boone Cutler? If not let me tell ya a little about him. Boone is a Iraq war veteran leading the way for warfighters rights and bringing truth to the issues warfighters face. His on-air personality “Tipping Point with Boone Cutler” http://tippingpoint.podomatic.com/ is nationally recognized and focuses on national and international events based on the warfighters perspective. In 2010, Boone founded the National Warfighter Symposium to bring attention to Warfighter issues like the alarming Warfighter Suicide and homeless rate. America currently loses at least twenty-three Warfighters to suicide every day. His signature charity is GallantFew.org, founded by Ranger Karl Monger, because it’s where Warfighters link-up with Warfighter mentors that have successfully transitioned from a military lifestyle into the civilian world. In 2014, Boone became the national spokesperson for the Warfighter Rights' Movement.
I could really go on for hours taking about this man,.. I admire him very much and he is an inspiration not only to other veterans, but to us military families and supporters as well. As I mentioned earlier,.. He brings truth to the issues at hand that effects many warfighters, this video is just one of the many truths. Everybody pretty much has heard the statistic "23 soldier suicides a day",.. well that number in truth is many more,.. as Boone explains in the video below.
Video- LEARN WHY WARFIGHTERS ARE BEING KILLED, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND HOW TO STOP IT
Big Dogs --- To The Front from Boone Cutler on Vimeo.
So now that some of the issues are clearly pointed out, we can start finding the right people for veterans to connect to,.. And find the better organizations/groups best equip to give REAL HELP!! When and Where they need it! NO WAITING, Like the V.A. does to them resulting in suicides that may have been prevented,.. and for the record in my book,.. THAT'S MURDER!!! Pre-mediated I'd say,.. Because the V.A. KNOWS veterans are DIEING,.. As they wait,..
The most effective programs, organizations, and groups for veterans,. Are the “veterans helping veterans” kind,.. And those that are community-based ran by veterans and supported by those who truly want to help support our warfighters,.. and put in some hours volunteering.
Speaking of veteran based organizations and groups, we need many more of them,.. but unfortantly theres never no funding for our veterans to build them and lack of dedicated supporters helping them achieve it. Much of the funding I'm seeing raised for our veterans trying to build their community based organization/group is raised via fundraiser's such as "Go Fund Me" and I've done a lot of promoting for them and truth be told,.. they don't do very well. And a much needed thing becomes unattainable not only for the veteran himself,.. but those he could have helped.
Meanwhile our veterans face stigma,...discrimination,.. and ptsd phobia,.. causing a downward spiral as Boone pointed out.
No Jobs: Job Discrimination,..
Veterans are treated differently during interviews,.. than those who never wore the uniform;
ptsd phobia,..
No Job: No Housing
No jobs, no incoming income, results in bad credit and with bad credit housing in hard to obtain, putting many veterans in dangerous situation of becoming homeless and on the street.
Speaking of homeless veterans,.. Here's a fact worth sharing,...
Between 529,000 and 840,000 veterans are homeless at some time during the year.
On any given night, there is about 50,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters in the U.S.
Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. The number of homeless Vietnam-era veterans, male and female, is greater than the number of soldiers who died during the war.
Education Issues
- Stigma and lack of school officials accommodating veterans with service dogs,.. very few collages are service dog friendly,.. and as Boone said,.. "A service dog is their cane."
Service Animal for veterans causes stigma among those that are uneducated.
Veterans Turn To The V.A. - Their paperwork gets screwed up and then are given that "combat cocktail" pills for depression,.. that many times causes severe side effects,.. including suicidal thoughts!
Worth Watching! Educational
Mefloquine the new Agent Orange TIPPING POINT with Boone Cutler http://goo.gl/wbp85F
The anti-malaria drug mefloquine(Lariam®) has been widely used by the military even after the CDC spoke out against it. The side effects are alarming for short term and long term use. Dr. Nevin called it the next Agent Orange before a Senate appropriations committee. The drug causes PTSD and TBI like-symptoms and has a synergistic effect for those with PSTD and TBI. Most notably, it removes a persons desire for self-preservation and may explain a lot about the high rate of suicide and acts of unprovoked violence.
Veterans Put In Their Claims,, and wait unreasonable amounts of time,.. Again putting them in a dangerous situation of becoming homeless and on the street, and losing everything they have including Marriages and Kids! It's like a domino effect,... and as Boone pointed out,.. Some veterans think and say,.. "Why Not Kill Myself under these conditions"
Take the Spartan Pledge, and get a Battle Buddy.
GallantFew - @gallantfew http://www.gallantfew.org/index.php/mission
Mission Statement: "GallantFew’s mission is to prevent veteran isolation by connecting new veterans with hometown veteran mentors, thereby facilitating a peaceful, successful transition from military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose.
Here’s a Great example of the many more needed "Veterans helping Veterans" Organizations/Community Groups.
The Veterans' Drop-In Center in Rockford Illnois - @vetsdropincentr
http://www.veteransdropincenter.com/index.html
Mission Statement:To provide a safe, supportive, and positive social environment where all veterans and their families, with local veterans service organizations, can give and receive help transitioning into and continuing to adapt to post-service life.
The Veterans' Drop-In Center came onto the scene in 2011, when a group of caring, compassionate people decided that Rockford area veterans and their families needed a place to gather and meet with their peers - without some of the formalities that come with other veterans' organizations.
We offer many things at the Center, including but not limited to:
Fun with your fellow veterans Computer usage A pool table Television / lounge area Dinner (if you're around at dinnertime) Weekly Tai Chi classes Haircuts (offered twice a month) Onsite meetings with VA and Vet Center representatives (weekly) Direct referrals to area veterans' resources Local musicians and much, much more!
Do you want to know the best part? It costs you NOTHING. Zip. Zilch. Nada. No fees, dues, memberships, or meetings. Come and go as you please. It is our gift to you for your service to our country and its people.
aboutface
Check out this book by Vietnam Veteran Don Parent @VetesHealthPTSD
The Warzone PTSD Survivors Guide
Popular PDF’S by Ken Jones @akvet - Veteran and Author of Life After Combat #PTSD
When Our Troops Come Home #PTSD
News Resource:
Wounded Times @WoundedTimes News source for #Veterans dedicated to defeating PTSD
Current Campaign Running,..
GoFundMe via @PtsdHope Stop the 22 veterans suicide a day! http://www.gofundme.com/zc8a7yc
In closing I would like to ask for participation,.. If you have any "Veterans Helping Veterans" resources please share them in the comments below. So that way they will be available to others for help. And I will gladly PROMOTE!!!
Also if your a veteran and would like to form something within your community, again please share,.. and let's make something happen!!!
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