Stigma Busting (because Stigma is an issue the Corporal brought up. . .)
From: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/manuals/manual-pdf/iwcg/iraq_clinician_guide_app_j2.pdf
(my emphasis added)
Canadian Government: see pie chart, conceptual representation of directions (intended, work in progress. . .?) re: dealing with health issues, stigma is mentioned:
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=mental-health/health-promotion/framework
From US Marine Corp, showing USMC standards (first paragraph) and in point-form, some issues that soldiers can experience re: stigma and reluctance to seek help:
http://www.usmc-mccs.org/LeadersGuide/Deployments/CombatOpsStress/generalinfo.cfm
(Emphasis mine) Maybe a few things the Corporal wasn't realizing at the time, and seccumbed to more intense addiction issues (self-medicating to cope) as time went by from his first tour. . .? I think some of the above seems to mirror some of the sentiments the Corporal addressed in his Star interview.
Maybe this is a reasonable standard, duty and responsibility? Is there a similar type of directive from the CF side? I hear it's been progressively changing for the positive and I've heard some good news way back (before I found this place) about good treatment and I was happy to hear that.
(Source: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/reintegration/guide-pdf/FamilyGuide.pdf) VAC acknowledges anxiety disorders as well (in the presentation from earlier link). I don't know what CF stats are? But regardless, this should let others know it's not an abnormal thing.
Link to a support line: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/cen/ps/mho-smb/osi-ssb/index-eng.asp
OSI support line. . .
I thought the USMC site was informative, straight-foward, cohesive and realistic strategy re: Combat-OSI (COSI), best attempts.
From: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/manuals/manual-pdf/iwcg/iraq_clinician_guide_app_j2.pdf
When they are happening, traumas often create feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror for those who experience them. In the days and weeks that follow, they often create longer-lasting stress reactions that can be surprising, distressing, and difficult to understand. By understanding their traumatic stress re-actions better, Iraq War veterans can become less fearful of them and better able to cope with them. While reviewing the list of effects of trauma below, keep in mind several facts about trauma and its effects:
It is very common to have problems following exposure to war or other trauma. But traumatic stress reactions often become less frequent or distressing as time passes, even without treatment.
Veterans with PTSD often worry that they are going crazy. This is not true. Rather, what is happening is that they are experiencing a set of common symptoms and problems that are connected with trauma.
Problems that result from trauma are not a sign of personal weakness. Many mentally and physically healthy people experience stress reactions that are distressing and interfere with their daily life at times.
If traumatic stress reactions continue to cause problems for more than a few weeks or months, treatment can help reduce them.
(my emphasis added)
Canadian Government: see pie chart, conceptual representation of directions (intended, work in progress. . .?) re: dealing with health issues, stigma is mentioned:
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=mental-health/health-promotion/framework
From US Marine Corp, showing USMC standards (first paragraph) and in point-form, some issues that soldiers can experience re: stigma and reluctance to seek help:
http://www.usmc-mccs.org/LeadersGuide/Deployments/CombatOpsStress/generalinfo.cfm
Why Marines May Not Seek Help
Some Marines are reluctant to admit to themselves or anyone else that they have been affected by the stress of combat or other operational experiences, and some are reluctant to ask for help for stress injuries that don’t heal quickly on their own. Such reluctances are often due to the stigma that surrounds behavioral health and stress problems, particularly among Marines, who pride themselves in their ability to endure extreme stress. Stigma is the number one enemy of combat/operational stress control. Therefore, it is the duty of every Marine leader, at every level and at all times, to fight stigma — to reduce its interference with stress-injured Marines getting needed help. Fighting stigma begins with understanding its causes, which include:
Not understanding that stress injuries are like other physical injuries — treatable and not the individual’s fault
Believing that adverse reactions to stress are a sign of weakness or personal failure
Not knowing that even the strongest Marine can suffer a stress injury
Fearing that having an emotional problem or getting help for it will negatively impact their careers
Fearing that other Marines will think less of them because they got help for a stress injury
Fearing their peers or leaders won’t trust them as much in future tough situations if they admit to having suffered a stress injury
Not understanding that the longer they wait to get help for stress injuries that don’t heal quickly on their own, the less likely they are to heal fully
Not realizing that avoiding getting help may place their unit members at risk because of decreased readiness and performance caused by untreated stress injury symptoms
Not realizing that avoiding getting help for persistent stress injuries can hurt their careers, relationships, and future health more than accepting help will
A command climate that discourages getting help or tells Marines to just “suck it up” or “get over it”
(Emphasis mine) Maybe a few things the Corporal wasn't realizing at the time, and seccumbed to more intense addiction issues (self-medicating to cope) as time went by from his first tour. . .? I think some of the above seems to mirror some of the sentiments the Corporal addressed in his Star interview.
Therefore, it is the duty of every Marine leader, at every level and at all times, to fight stigma — to reduce its interference with stress-injured Marines getting needed help.
Maybe this is a reasonable standard, duty and responsibility? Is there a similar type of directive from the CF side? I hear it's been progressively changing for the positive and I've heard some good news way back (before I found this place) about good treatment and I was happy to hear that.
What Percentage of Veterans Have Received Help for Mental Health Problems?
47% of all veterans have sought services at VA
Top 2 reasons: Muscle and Joint Problems and Mental Health
Of the 48.5% who have sought mental health care:
53.3%: PTSD problems
37.8%: depression
(VA data as of 01/2010)
(Source: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/reintegration/guide-pdf/FamilyGuide.pdf) VAC acknowledges anxiety disorders as well (in the presentation from earlier link). I don't know what CF stats are? But regardless, this should let others know it's not an abnormal thing.
Link to a support line: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/cen/ps/mho-smb/osi-ssb/index-eng.asp
OSI support line. . .
I thought the USMC site was informative, straight-foward, cohesive and realistic strategy re: Combat-OSI (COSI), best attempts.