Author Archives: Jamie Reno

The military is an integral and vital part of San Diego life. Home Post takes an insider’s look at what’s happening militarily both in San Diego and around the world. The site is curated by Jamie Reno, an award-winning journalist with 25 years' experience who has dedicated much of his career to covering military and security issues. Read more

February 1, 2011 | 5:22 PM | By

An Apology from Your Editor

Dear Home Post readers,

It has come to my attention that Home Post has used excessive quotes and passages from other sources, including military sources and other journalists, without making it clear to the reader that this material was from another source. It was never, ever my intention to try to pass anything off as my own words that did not come from me. However, the attribution has at times been unclear and could confuse the reader into thinking that these passages were written or reported by me instead of by the original source of the material. To all readers of this blog, I am truly sorry for any confusion this may have caused. It will not happen again.

Sincerely,

Jamie Reno

January 31, 2011 | 11:12 AM | By

New Study: Two-Thirds of Veterans With PTSD Not Being Treated

Uncle Sam and PTSD

Ilona Meagher/Flickr

Uncle Sam and PTSD

I’ve been writing for several years about how far too many of our returning veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not being treated. A new study of veterans in New York State by the Rand Corporation is further evidence of this ongoing problem.

The study found that only about a third of the veterans who appeared in need of health care for their PTSD or other mental health issues had actually received it in the previous year, meaning two-thirds of veterans in that area are going untreated.

Asked why they are not seeking help, many of the 913 veterans surveyed, all of whom had been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan at least once, mentioned the stigma of PTSD, which has  persisted despite efforts by all branches of the military to move past it. Some veterans in the survey felt that seeking treatment could have a negative impact on their careers and some also raised concerns about the side effects of psychiatric medications given to treat PTSD.

This latest study, whose findings are similar to a 2008 study by Rand that polled veterans nationwide, was commissioned by the New York State Health Foundation, a private nonprofit group that gives grants to health care organizations. Jim Knickman, president and chief executive of the foundation, told New York Times blogger James Dao that a substantial number of veterans reported that they do not receive any care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. In some cases, that was because the nearest VA health center was too far away, but in others, Dao reports, it was because the veterans said they did not like the atmosphere of the VA or did not think the care was adequate.

And it’s not just an issue of veterans not getting treated. There’s also the problem of not completing the treatment once they start it. A study last year published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that even many veterans who were being treated for their PTSD through the VA were not receiving “enough” treatment for it to be effective. The study noted that more than 230,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans sought treatment for PTSD at VA healthcare facilities between 2002 and 2008. Out of these individuals, 50,000 received new diagnoses that resulted in fewer than 10 percent receiving the full treatment program.

FILED UNDER: Veterans, PTSD, Rand Corporation, VA
January 31, 2011 | 9:47 AM | By

Daily Report: Troops Honored, Beach Clean-up, Free Tickets for Military, Marines & Taliban, Blind War Hero

Service members honored – More than 300 active duty service members stationed throughout Southern California were honored this past week during the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open Military Appreciation Luncheon at the La Jolla Hilton. Navy Compass

Shoreline Clean-up – Naval Base Coronado will be hosting a shoreline beach clean-up at the South Silver Strand Training Complex Tuesday, Feb. 1 starting at 8 a.m. For more information, please contact 619-545-8167. Naval Base Coronado

Orchestra Nova offers free tickets to active duty military – San Diego truly is a military town and this is a great opportunity to reach a lot of people who might not otherwise be able to afford our classical music concerts.  Orchestra Nova

Marines doing their job – There won’t be a pretty end to Afghanistan, but if we can at least keep the Taliban from coming back to power, then we’ll have done enough. Blogsforvictory

War hero’s blindness sparks vision on MTV network – Veterans refuse to let the challenges dictate their future by founding JWORK Limited, a fashion brand that MTV will be featuring on their TV series, “The Opening.” MTV

January 28, 2011 | 3:28 PM | By

USD Student and Veteran Joseph Rocha’s Visit With President Obama

President Obama and Joseph Rocha

University of San Diego

President Obama and Joseph Rocha

On the University of San Diego website, USD student, activist, and veteran Joseph Rocha, who I’ve written about extensively on this blog, provides a first-person account of his December trip to Washington D.C. at the invitation of the White House to be present for President Barack Obama’s signing of the bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

On the USD site, Rocha, who was ousted from the military because he is gay and now plans to return to the service and become a Marine officer, writes:

When I shook the President’s hand, I held what is called a “challenge coin” in my hand. A challenge coin is an award that units and high-ranking individuals in the Armed Forces and politics have that they can choose to give to individuals they feel have done an exceptional job. The specific one in my hand was given to me while I served in the Middle East by my mentor for being accepted to the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School. I said to the President, “Mr. President this coin belonged to Jennifer Valdivia who lost her life in our unit in Bahrain. She believed in me and she believed in you, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.”

At this moment, President Obama’s action took me – and the Secret Service – completely by surprise. He took a look at the coin, scrunched his mouth, looked me in the eyes, patted me on the back, and brought me in for a hug. President Obama, the man dubbed nothing more than fancy words and elegant speeches, did not bother patronizing the pain he saw in me with words but rather decided to show me clear human compassion and respect.

FILED UNDER: Veterans, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Joseph Rocha, President Obama
January 28, 2011 | 1:42 PM | By

Soldiers With Similar Head Injuries Cheer On Gabrielle Giffords

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Gabrielle Giffords’ transition from University Medical Center in Arizona to a rehabilitation facility in Houston this past week reportedly went flawlessly. Giffords, whose injuries are very similar to the kind of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that have become the signature wound of the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, is, despite a few setbacks, reportedly making a miraculous recovery.

If anything good can come out of such a tragedy, it’s the fact that her battle with this brain injury has already increased awareness nationwide of TBI, which has affected tens of thousands of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dr. Jonathan LaPook at CBS News writes about two courageous young men who are a great example for the Congresswoman as she fights to recover in the months to come. The two former troops talked about what Giffords may face. Kenny Adams, 29, was blinded after being shot through the head in Afghanistan seven years ago. Before rehab, he couldn’t walk and his speech was badly slurred. Adams told LaPook:

“The bullet came in through my right cheek and exited thru my right forehead. The rehab is hard, I am not going to lie to you. There are some days I get really frustrated.”

Steve Schulz, 26, suffered a brain injury from a roadside bombing in Iraq. After five years of therapy, he told CBS that he has this advice for Congresswomen Giffords:

“Keep your head up, where it needs to be. It’s very tough – just lots of work. Keep looking forward, because that’s where you’re headed.”

FILED UNDER: Life in the Military, Gabrielle Giffords, TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury
January 28, 2011 | 11:16 AM | By

New San Diego VA Study Of Veterans with TBI Looking to Get Back to Work

San Diego VA Healthcare

San Diego VA Healthcare

The Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, supported by Veterans Medical Research Foundation, a private not-for-profit research corporation located on the grounds of the VA, is accepting patients for a new study that provides treatment to veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and helps get them back into the labor force.

According to a press release, the VA’s study seeks to address TBI, one of the signature wounds of this war and one of the causes of unemployment among veterans, by evaluating an intervention called CogSMART – Cognitive Symptom Management and Rehabilitation Therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injury. CogsSMART teaches the study participants strategies for bypassing cognitive impairments, and the study also provides supported employment to place veterans in their desired job field.

An estimated 20 percent of today’s veterans have mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, according to the VA’s press release. The condition that does not render veterans unable to work but, because symptoms include sleep disturbance, fatigue, headaches, and memory and concentration issues, traumatic brain injury can make long-term employment difficult to secure.

The study is open to veterans who are using the GI Bill to complete their education so that they might gain real-world work experience to help them land a job after graduation. For more information about the study, call Dr. Elizabeth Twamley, the study’s principal investigator, or Amber Gregory at 619-228-8080. For more information about Veterans Medical Research Foundation and the medical research studies benefiting veterans the organization supports, visit www.vmrf.org.

Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Veterans, TBI, VA
January 28, 2011 | 9:43 AM | By

Daily Report: Fight For Military Families, Military Moms, VA and White House, Single Marines, Drones and Civilians

It’s our turn to fight for military families – This week, Tonic is partnering with Operation Home Relief to raise $5,000, enough to keep several service members and their families from becoming homeless. Tonic

36 military moms-to-be get dream baby shower – Thirty-six expectant military moms are receiving the baby shower they deserve at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines this week, courtesy of March of Dimes, Operation Shower and Kmart. The moms-to-be are receiving gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, toys, books and more. PR News

VA applauds White House military families initiative – The plan was announced this week, and it’s something in which we’re very excited to participate. VA blog

Single Marines recreational programs – Offers various types of recreation for single Marines such as weekend trips, day and sporting trips, community involvement opportunities and recreation events held at the recreation centers at Camp Pendleton. Marine Corps

Drone attacks and civilians – A new report from the New America Foundation states that one of every three people killed in the US’s not-so-secret drone war in Pakistan is a civilian. Conspiracy.me

January 27, 2011 | 3:07 PM | By

Leading Veterans Advocate Sharply Critical of President’s State Of The Union Speech

Paul Reickhoff of IAVA

Paul Reickhoff of IAVA

Paul Reickhoff, a veteran and founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), is clearly less than satisfied with President Obama’s State of the Union speech.

On the IAVA website, Reickhoff writes:

“Veterans did not hear a concrete plan of action to tackle the most urgent issues facing our community. We heard nothing on veteran unemployment and nothing on the staggering rates of military and veteran suicides. In addition, the President said, ‘Veterans can now download their electronic medical records with a click of the mouse.’ This is not true. Contrary to the President’s comment, the only thing a veteran can download from the VA’s system are pharmaceutical records and personal health information that he or she has self-entered. This is a critical distinction.

“The President’s comments are misleading to service members, veterans and the American public who now think that this system is in place and functional, while it is clearly not. IAVA has heard from hundreds of members who have expressed surprise and outrage that the President could get something so wrong in arguably the most important speech of the year. IAVA requests that the White House set the record straight on the current capacity of the medical records system. This is a crucial step in building trust between the Administration and all veterans across the country.”

On his Twitter page today, Reickhoff follows up, stating, “We’ve got to spread the word about this issue. Still no public response from the White House to correct it.”

FILED UNDER: Veterans, IAVA, President Obama, VA
January 27, 2011 | 1:45 PM | By

Veterans in Congress at Lowest Level Since World War II

United States Capital Building

United States Capital Building

The number of national elected officials who have served has plummeted to its lowest point since World War II. Only 20% of the 535 members of the new Congress have served in the military, 25 from the Senate and 90 from the House of Representatives, reports Jennifer Rizzo at CNN. In 1975, more than 70% of those elected had served in the armed forces.

Not surprisingly, given these numbers, veterans advocates and others are concerned about a disconnect between the military and civilians

Seth Lynn, executive director of Veterans Campaign, a group that trains veterans to run for public office, tells CNN:

“It’s not always that veterans care more about defense issues, but those politicians who have served in the military understand to a much greater degree what they are voting on. Having members in Congress with military experience is crucial to effective civilian control of the military.”

But Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, doesn’t concur, telling CNN:

“Over the past four years, Congress has elevated priorities and expanded benefits and services to all U.S. veterans to the highest levels in quality and funding in our country’s history. I believe that Congress will continue to hold veterans’ issues and needs at the forefront even with a reduction of congressional members who are veterans.”

FILED UNDER: Veterans, Congress, Veterans Campaign, Veterans In Congress
January 27, 2011 | 11:12 AM | By

How to Deal With PTSD After Leaving The Military

A warrior with PTSD

PTSD

When your military service is over and you are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or suspect you or a loved one has it, one of the first and best things you should do is learn more about it so you can better manage and cope with the symptoms and strategize the recovery process.

LEARNING ABOUT PTSD

Sites and organizations with comprehensive, easy-to-understand PTSD information include www.ptsd.va.gov and www.healmyptsd.com. Two of the best veterans organizations that offer resources and information for those with PTSD are IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America), and VCS (Veterans for Common Sense). Other sites that have helpful information about PTSD include Healing Combat Trauma, PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within, and PTSD: A Soldier’s Perspective. These are all active, informative blogs that speak to and from the combat PTSD experience.

TAKING A PTSD TEST

Once you begin learning about PTSD facts, it’s helpful to have a guide to see if PTSD fits your personal symptoms and experience. A PTSD test a good place to begin gaining more clarity. You can take a PTSD test online at the following sites:

www.mental-health-today.com

www.healthyplace.com

www.online-therapy.com.

FILING A PTSD CLAIM

Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Dept. of Veterans Affairs

First thing you should do is go to the VA’s site, www.va.gov/PTSD_QA.pdf, which gives you the very latest updates on how to file a clai. A lot of free military resources and materials that can help you in the process of filing a PTSD claim can also be obtained from Military Onesource. Another helpful resource that will give you information on how to file a PTSD claim is the PTSD Help Network. For a listing of reputable veteran service officers (VSO), lawyers, and claims agents, who are crucial when filing a claim and getting the appropriate disability rating for PTSD and other psychological and physical wounds, see this site.

FINDING A VA THERAPIST

If you are looking for a therapist at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you can find a VA PTSD program at this site or a Vet Center near you. Vet Centers, which are a part of the VA but separate entities, offer free, confidential therapy for as many sessions as needed, and include individual, group, couples, and family therapy and lots of unique programming including arts, recreation, animal, and mind/body therapies.

FINDING A PRIVATE THERAPIST

Give an Hour.jpg

Give an Hour

If you’re looking for a private therapist, a good resource is the Mental Health Services Locator (SAMHSA) at 800-662-4357. These two organizations will also help you find one: www.helppro.com/ptsd, where providers can be selected based on their location, treatment specialties, education, or types of insurance accepted, among other search criteria, and Give an Hour, where you can locate therapists nationwide who actually volunteer their time for free to veterans suffering from PTSD and other psychological issues.

PTSD TREATMENTS

Popular traditional treatments for PTSD include talk therapy and virtual exposure therapy, both of which engage the conscious mind and help it to make change. Popular alternative treatments that engage the subconscious mind (“the most powerful part at 88% of your brain,” says PTSD expert and survivor Michele Rosenthal) include information processing therapies, including EMDR, which I’ve written about before on this site, EFT, and hypnosis, just to name a few.

Michele Rosenthal

Michele Rosenthal

According to Rosenthal, who founded www.healmyptsd.com, “A really comprehensive PTSD treatment program that includes both traditional and alternative methods engages both the conscious and subconscious realms of the mind is the most effective approach. Post-traumatic stress, at the bottom line, is this: After a trauma occurs, survivors get lost in the gap between who they were pre-trauma and who they become as a result of experience. PTSD treatment requires both professional and personal methods to build up your sense of security. Suddenly, the entire world has changed. How you perceive and know yourself has shattered. Helpful support includes one-on-one coaching, support groups, and community events.”
Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Spouses & Families, Veterans, Life After the Military, PTSD