WHY We're Needed!

WHY We're Needed:

In my research over the past couple of months, I have found that there is such a great need for this type of support for our HEROS. As of November 2007, there were 109 active duty suicides. That number is the highest it has ever been since the military started keeping statistics in 1980. And there were an additional 6000+ suicides by military veterans!

With the active duty suicides, the military contributes 70% to failure in relationships, but one of the main symptoms of PTSD is problems in relationships. The troop comes home and has trouble adjusting back to "normal" life.

Avoidance - which includes disassociation, numbing, controlling behavior, and isolation
Reliving - this includes sleep disorders and overreacting
Victimization - including distrust, abandonment, and blaming others
Shame - feeling guilty and feeling unworthy

Now wouldn't any one of these symptoms interfere with anyone's relationship??? How can you have a "normal" relationship if you have any of these problems?

There is such an alarmingly high rate of troops suffering from PTSD right now that the VA is overwhelmed and some of our HEROS are actually having to wait for up to two years for mental health care. Precisely why an organization such as Military HEROS Foundation is needed - to pick up the slack, so that MANY lives and relationships can be saved.

Think about it - these soldiers and their families are not the only ones affected by PTSD because of the lack of mental health care afforded to them. Often the community that these troops return home to after serving their country suffers from the effects of what these men and women are going through. All of these symptoms spill over into your community even:

By causing divorce, leading to single parents dependent on the welfare system, not to mention more children living without both parents in the home.

Because many suffering severely from PTSD can't hold a job, they may become homeless or commit crimes to survive.

They may do drugs or spend excessive time at bars trying to "forget" or numb the emotional pain they're experiencing, and then drinking and driving or having fights because they are irritable and easily provoked.

These are just a few examples of the common effects of PTSD. The sooner the suffering one is able to get mental health care, the sooner it (PTSD) can be cured or managed. So if and when Military HEROS Foundation is in place to immediately help the sufferers, what a difference that may make in society altogether.

You see, it is not just "their problem" - PTSD can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time...
PTSD is a community and/or societal problem as well.

Why YOU're needed:

A few of us trying to get this started, is not enough. We desperately need help! Originally we wanted to be up and providing help by June 2008, but with all of the hard work that needs to be done to make it happen, it looks like January 2009 might be a more realistic goal. If we can start sooner, the better, and we certainly will. That's up to you the individual - the more help we get, the quicker we can start helping to heal our HEROS.

Just imagine, with your donation, support, volunteering, and even simply helping to spread the Military HEROS Foundation idea by word of mouth, YOU could literally be responsible for making a difference in and saving lives yourself!

PTSD is not because you're weak, it's because you're human!