The Invisible Wounds of War

Okay. It’s time for a veterans’ care update. It’ll be short, so don’t freak.

I’ve been meaning to put this up for the past month, since the day it came out, but have been short of time for posting anything, of late (I suppose one post about every 10 days kinda illustrates that, huh).

In any case, the RAND Corporation – the nation’s largest policy-analyzing, reporting-to-the-Office-of-the-Secretary-of-Defense, (rather clannish) group – recently released a report on estimates for the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions among OIF/OEF veterans. This is the most extensive report of its kind to date; the entire thing runs 500 pages.

I’ve downloaded that, and have even begun to read through it, believe it or not (makes for some real light reading), but will instead post the 19-page summary, here.

The estimates are not pretty. In fact, they’re rather horrifying. It is being predicted, conservatively, that 18-22% of veterans from this war will suffer from PTSD, major depression and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) or mTBI (the “mild” version). Further, there is a high incidence of co-morbidity among these conditions.

Either way, “one-in-five” is a staggering ratio.

I just wanted to put something up that really means something. If you have even 20 minutes to browse through this, to see what these hundreds of thousands of young men and women will be grappling with and going through in the years to come, then please – take that amount of time to familiarize yourself with this. Just over half the personnel who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan over the past five years – that’s more than 800,00 people, folks – are between the ages of 20 and 29, and this war will be affecting them for, presumably, the greater portion of their lives.

The upshot is that we, as a nation, will need to begin to deal with this war, whether some of us want to or not.

I’m off to bed. Time to try and get refreshed for another day of reading, writing, researching (about things such as this, and more) and feeling grateful that I have a wonderful and special son whom I adore (and who WOWS me every day with his special brand of sweetness) as well as supportive and loving people in my life.

G’night.

 

Veteran mental health -and- homeless veterans: UPDATES

Until I can get a new site completely put together that will focus on just these issues, which are of personal (and academic/professional) import to me – I’ve got one in the works on WordPress, but need some time for completion – I want to post what is new in these two arenas.

Unfortunately, most news from these two fights is, normally, never particularly “good;” kind of the nature of the beast, really. But there is one thing, which I’ve included below, to give some measure of hope. I will remain the “cautious optimist.”

First, for those who cannot stand Bill O’Reilly – or even for those who can – this links to a petition from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Web site re: the “pundit” sticking his massive foot in his mouth yet again; this time, about the status of homeless veterans in the U.S. Makes me nuts, I’m telling you. But there is something that can be done about it, which is what calms me down, at least a little. These fights will require endurance, and I’m in them for the long haul, come what may.

Please take just a moment to look at this, and to add your voice: Watch the Video and Tell Bill to Set the Record Straight

Also, new reports and articles are being published virtually every week about combat-related PTSD, and other OIF/OEF veterans’ concerns – including serious concerns about the growing number of OIF/OEF veterans being at-risk for, or actually becoming, homeless. Research and various studies that were finally begun in the past year or two about these connected issues are now beginning to be compiled and published. I’ve included just a few, below, and will add to these as they become available (another impetus to get the other site to go live):

• Amador Ledger-Dispatch: In Wake of Afghanistan and Iraq, a new generation of homeless veterans emerges – 15 Jan ‘08

• Forbes.com: Rate of Traumatic Stress Triples Among U.S. Troops – 15 Jan ‘08

• NPR: Father Blames Military for Son’s Suicide – 8 Jan ‘08

And yet, possibly, there is a glimmer of good news ahead for veterans in 2008. This was partially due to pressure being brought to bear from assorted Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) – or at least, that’s what their press releases will have us believe. In any case, it’s just a good thing that it’s happened:

• President Bush Approves VA Funding – 12 Jan ‘08

And that’s all for now from this front.

On a personal note: Godspeed to my brother, Scott, and sis-in-law, Liz, who should be touching down just about now in Addis Ababa to meet with – and in about one week, finally bring home – their soon-to-be-adopted 6-yr-old son, Biniam. Jack will LOVE having, finally, a boy cousin to play with! We love you both, and are looking ever-so forward to your summer visit.

 

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day

Just want to direct people’s attention to the fact that, as this is officially the first day of winter, it is also the longest night of the year. For those who find themselves homeless, it will be an especially long night.

Heightened awareness to a problem such as homelessness brings with it an inevitable sadness, but hopefully, also, a newfound resolve to never again turn away. Considering just how many veterans find themselves homeless in the U.S. on any given night — up to 250,000 is a common estimate — I’ve decided for myself that my commitment to veterans issues, as well as to the basic tenets of human rights, must include a commitment to finding a solution to homelessness among veterans. But the homeless are not only veterans; they’re people from all walks of life.

They are people — men, women, many children, entire families, the mentally ill, and those who by some fickle stroke of chance have found themselves without a roof over their heads.

And for me personally, there is also this:

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ … Matthew 25:37-40 [NAB]

I’m trying to remember that more in my life. Despite a few setbacks and my own Life Stuff (things everyone has to go through in their own way), I have had a blessed life. I’d like for Jack to see that we share a responsibility, as members of the human family – let alone as part of our true calling as Christians – to get involved and to not turn away. We can’t help everyone, but we can do what we can do, and try to affect those few with whom we do come into contact. The danger of feeling overwhelmed by all of society’s ills is that one ends up actually doing nothing. I want to do something, however small.

Mom taught me better than to retreat into a bubble of coziness and comfort and to turn a blind eye. In some small way, by getting off of my bum and peeking out from behind the myopia of my own Life Stuff, I will be honoring her as well.

Aside from ‘O, Come All Ye Faithful’, this became my mom’s favorite carol for the season. We enjoyed listening to it together, many times, so I’d like to share it here as well.

Ways to get involved in the fight against homelessness in the Puget Sound area:

• Committee to End Homelessness in King County — Web site, with links to get further info. and to find out ways to help
• Seattle/King County Coalition for the Homeless — One of our many activist profs. at UWB is involved with this group, as well as with the Tent City efforts in the area
• Washington State Coalition for the Homeless — Involved in legislative efforts in Olympia
• JustGive.org — Links to ‘How to Support the Homeless’ on this “one stop shop” charitable giving site
• Real Change News
• Petition to End Homeless Harassment in Seattle/King County (via Real Change) — Add your name to find alternatives (say… more low-cost housing?) to city ordinances that try only to sweep King County’s 8,000 homeless persons under the proverbial rug each day and night. Petition will be sent to the Seattle City Council.

And finally, for veterans – homeless, or not:

• University of Washington Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress — Funded through 2008 with a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), this UW Dept. of Psychology unit offers potential clients screening and, if accepted, no-cost treatment for PTSD and other traumatic stress disorders. They are currently enrolling participants.

 

Homelessness among United States veterans

As part of the course requirements for my Community Psychology class this Fall (BIS343, for all you academics), we were required to do a term research project on a social problem in the United States. Going against the tide but with my personal research interests, I asked my professor if it would be alright if I did mine on the problem of homelessness among U.S. veterans. She was intrigued – no one had ever asked to research that particular problem before – so she said “yes.” I am thankful she did, as it has served as the catalyst for engaging me to take further action, to look more deeply into this problem than I previously had. Considering my professed passion for veterans advocacy work, it was about time I opened my eyes more fully to this.

I am posting some of my research materials here. Believe me – this is just a tiny sampling of what I have, and of what is out there. Homelessness among veterans is a huge problem, so quite a lot has been researched and written about it. Tragically, that’s not translated well into effective action being taken on behalf of homeless veterans themselves. But this has become something that I want to be more involved with, to try to help. At best, the Dept of Veterans Affairs (VA) answer to veteran homelessness is ineffective; at worst, it’s criminal.

The system is broken. If we don’t come to grips with that fact, the OIF and OEF veterans who are soon to be returning en masse - suffering from PTSD, TBI, the strain of multiple deployments and the toll that that takes, not just on soldiers (sailors, Marines, airmen…) but on their families as well (and hence, the soldier’s support system) – are going to make care for the Vietnam era vets look like a cakewalk, and we are not ready.

The latest estimates are that up to 40% of the homeless male population in the U.S. are veterans. How can this be?! And there are homeless women veterans as well. Where do they go? Who is watching their backs? Many have suffered sexual abuse, both inside and outside of their military service. Is forcing them into dangerous shelters, where they are routinely exposed to yet more trauma, the answer? It goes without saying that that applies to male veterans as well, and approximately 96% of the veteran homeless population are men.

These men and women, whether they be combat veterans or guardians during peacetime, have served us all. Forcing them out onto the street – or to shelters, benches, farms, parks, underpasses, hilltops, mountainsides, dumpsters – is a disgraceful way to say, “Thank you for putting your ass on the line for me; thumbs up, dude.” At the very least, they are due the benefits they have been promised, and have rightfully earned. They are not getting them.

I’m just the tiniest of blips on the Net. But part of my blog can serve as a source for information. Perhaps that’s all I can do for now, but at least I can do that much. When I began this blog last March, I posted that I didn’t want it to be yet another avenue for self-absorption; we have enough of that already in the world, especially in this culture.

Towards that end, this will be a recurring section of this site; updates will post as new information becomes available and seems reliable. This will include information on both homeless veterans’ issues and combat-related PTSD (my career field of interest). Links will open in a new window, with all information available for download (most in .pdf format). Unfortunately, I cannot post academic journal articles, as that would constitute copyright infringement. However, if anyone out there is searching for something and is interested, I can e-mail them for individual use. Just e-mail me if you are searching for specific info. Who knows – I just might have something you’re looking for, or could possibly point you in a useful direction.

NOTE: Take the governmental and VA reports for what you will.

*******

Veteran Homelessness in the U.S. ~ Facts, Statistics and General Information:

• Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress: Homelessness — Recent Statistics, Targeted Federal Programs, and Recent Legislation – 31 May 2005
• CRS Report for Congress: Veterans and Homelessness – May 2007
• Looking at our Homeless Veterans Programs: How Effective Are They? Hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – 16 March 2006
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: Vital Mission – Ending Homelessness Among Veterans (report snapshot) – November 2007

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

• VA: Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents: 2007 Edition
• VA: Programs for Homeless Veterans – 2006 Fact Sheet
• VA and Nat’l Center for PTSD: Iraq War Clinician Guide, v2 – June 2004

WA State Dep’t of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) & WA state veterans support:

• Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) — Web site
• WDVA: Homeless Veterans Brochure; December 2006
• WDVA: Homeless Veterans Action Plan – Update, January 2007
• Washington County Veterans Coalition (CVC) – Web site. Washington Counties Serving Veterans

MISCELLANY (as well as the most interesting, and probably, most useful):

• Homeless Veteran’s Survival Guide – Web site, from the WanderingVet; currently, a homeless veteran offering advice and guidance for his fellow homeless veterans via his blog.
• CW Nevius ~ San Francisco Chronicle: A flood of stressed vets is expected - 9 December 2007
• “When I Came Home” – Web site. A 2007 documentary film about homeless veterans in America. The filmmakers have posted a page for How You Can Help homeless vets as well.
• Abraham Cho: BC, College of A&S Senior Thesis – Our Home is Gone: Homeless Veterans and the Road Back – April 2007 – Tons of material here, fully cited for further research.

 

COLLEGE LIFE

In a word… OY!

But I love it. Love it, love it, love it. It’s incredibly time-consuming, challenging, adds to making my schedule with Jack that much more hair-pulling (in terms of logistics, when considering split custody as well – yuck), and this will be an intensive quarter. But hey – I LOVE IT.

I had the privilege of attending a presentation / talk with a Vietnam veteran, Steve Tice, and his wife, Lisa Tice – the Disability Services manager for UW Tacoma – last week on campus. OMG… all I can say is that it was amazing. I have had several back-and-forth e-mails with them, and feel very lucky, and honored, that they are so willing to help me with feedback in relation to my career goals, with support, and encouragement, in the years to come. He worked as a program manager for 20+ years with the VA, and is now a consultant, writer and adviser. On top of that, he is a veteran of the Battle of Hamburger Hill, spent a year in the hospital recuperating from catastrophic wounds, has raised a family of three with his amazing and supportive wife, earned his master’s degree, and is an all-around good guy.

Despite the stress, I now have a good life. And I think this is what they call ‘networking’, let alone karma. It was absolute happenstance that I even learned of this particular talk to be held last week. I believe that I was the only student there, amongst staff and faculty. That’s sad to say, but there it is. I’m just happy that I was given the chance to meet Steve and Lisa.

Anyway, just wanted to let y’all know that I’m alive – am very harried, busy, a little stressed – but focused and driven. Hope everyone out there is doing well!

Plus, CONGRATS go out to Scott and Liz on their upcoming arrival!! Jack and I will be ever so looking forward to meeting Biniam in 2008. I’m making it a plan.

This is early, but what the heck. I’m in a merry mood at the moment, and am pondering all the possibilities in life – from career plans, to silly little boys, to family, to adopting very fortunate kids who’ll add their own joy to a family and make it ‘complete’ in ways they never could have dreamed. And oh, yes – pirate birthday parties (“ARRRGGGHHH!!!”), and papers due in five days.

Follow the yellow brick road of your dreams, everybody.