[Newsbot]

Title: Too many stressed soldiers slip through cracks: report
Category: Military
Posted By: Eisensapper
Date: 2008-12-17 09:20:40
Canadian

[roger-roger]

They are making the situation seem worse than it really is.

[kenmore]

I got news for you eisensapper..I work mental health and the military does a poor job with post traumatic stress by ignoring it. They also have minimal support systems for families and esp.children. I am currently working in a military base town and I know first hand the situation for miltary men and women.. And the military does a good job of making people feel weak and " less than if they report mental health problems. So I take exception to your off the cuff comment that is not founded in fact!

[roger-roger]

Maybe in Quebec, but in NB they do a phenomenal job. I don’t see how you can take my comment as off the cuff when I have been through the process they are talking about. Maybe if Quebec cared more about their military then they do about their French sovereignty you would see how things work in the rest of the country.
Every person I served with overseas who said they even felt slightly depressed saw a councillor either the next day or the following day. Not to mention the peer support that the regiment gives anyone, who is having trouble. I work with several people who are on the road to recovery right now, and no one feels less of them. So again I have a feeling this is a major problem with the base you are lurking in.

[uwish]

I think one thing is for sure. MORE work needs to be done for soldiers returning.

They need to highlight the successes and roll it out on a grander scale.

[roger-roger]

Highlighting recovering soldiers is a bad idea, these guys want to be treated as normal, not celebrated because they can finnaly go out in crowds and not sweat their balls off.

More can always be done for the military, but the major issue is reservists. The big issue I can see is keep track of reservists who are injured, since after they go home to their unit they can easily be lost. Yet another reason to go reg force.

[uwish]

I didn't mean put them in the press, I meant the general what is working and not working of current treatment processes.

Perhaps I should have been more clear.

[roger-roger]

uwish uwish:

I didn't mean put them in the press, I meant the general what is working and not working of current treatment processes.

Perhaps I should have been more clear.

Even that isnt entirely clear...

[putz]

kenmore kenmore:

I got news for you eisensapper..I work mental health and the military does a poor job with post traumatic stress by ignoring it. They also have minimal support systems for families and esp.children. I am currently working in a military base town and I know first hand the situation for miltary men and women.. And the military does a good job of making people feel weak and " less than if they report mental health problems. So I take exception to your off the cuff comment that is not founded in fact!

I know in Edmonton they seem to be doing a phenomonal job here. My battalion has had no problems. A few friends of mine are going through their issues with PTSD and they seem to be happy with the support that they are getting. It has been repeatedly stressed over and over again that you are not weak if you get help with PTSD. I know that in my battalion you ARE NOT treated as an outcast, weak or less of a solider if they report mental health problems. I agree with Eisensapper the problem is handleing of reservists. Once they get home and are cut back to their units, their gone.

[roger-roger]

Sadly its seems to be one of the many shitty things about being a SWAT member.

[kenmore]

Actually I am in Ontario working at present. The forces are Canadian. So probably in all provinces and territorys. In Petawawa (I am not there) I heard there was one psychiatrist for 5000 soliders. not good! I am 3rd generation military family. I lost a nephew in Afghanistan. There was a good interview with a solidier yesterday about PTSD and how hiding mental health issues is encouraged. Our facility is full and there is a huge waiting list and the out-patient numbers are enormous. Now even the psychiatrists and other allied health workers are getting burnt out and the current financial situation isnt helping. But the number 1 resource for the military is soldiers and they deserve better.

[Terence]

I wonder how much of it is people hiding it out of macho pride?

I know few guys who would want their male friends to know about what they perceive as weakness within. I know personally, I would avoid that.

That said, I have always wondered why veterans injured in combat, whether it be mental or physical are given sub par care and benefits.

People argue about the politics of auto bailouts and such, but I have never heard anyone Liberal or Conservative say we should cut spending on aftercare for those who serve in uniform.

disgraceful.

[roger-roger]

InternetChatter InternetChatter:

I wonder how much of it is people hiding it out of macho pride?

I know few guys who would want their male friends to know about what they perceive as weakness within. I know personally, I would avoid that.

That said, I have always wondered why veterans injured in combat, whether it be mental or physical are given sub par care and benefits.

People argue about the politics of auto bailouts and such, but I have never heard anyone Liberal or Conservative say we should cut spending on aftercare for those who serve in uniform.

disgraceful.

Its covered, you dont pay a cent.

[roger-roger]

kenmore kenmore:

Actually I am in Ontario working at present. The forces are Canadian. So probably in all provinces and territorys. In Petawawa (I am not there) I heard there was one psychiatrist for 5000 soliders. not good! I am 3rd generation military family. I lost a nephew in Afghanistan. There was a good interview with a solidier yesterday about PTSD and how hiding mental health issues is encouraged. Our facility is full and there is a huge waiting list and the out-patient numbers are enormous. Now even the psychiatrists and other allied health workers are getting burnt out and the current financial situation isnt helping. But the number 1 resource for the military is soldiers and they deserve better.

Well here in NB its excellent and Putz says that it is the same in Edmonton... like I said before it must be an issue with the base that your at.

kenmore kenmore:

a solidier yesterday about PTSD and how hiding mental health issues is encouraged

Again, its more likely it is an issue with the guys regiment. Do you have a link for this interview?