Each year the month of June is National PTSD Awareness Month.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car wreck, or sexual assault. It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after these type event (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp). Reactions to such trauma are normal and healthy, they can and will last for an adjustment period.
Usually the aforementioned reactions begin within a month of the event and last up to a month or so – this normal reaction is appropriately called Acute Stress Reaction or Disorder. However, if symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments; the PTSD: National Center for PTSD is the world’s leading research and educational center on PTSD and traumatic stress. Their links:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp
Obviously, the National Center for PTSD is the foremost site for knowledge and treatment referral for Veterans.
Brief story: I broke both of my heels, injured both elbows and shoulders, severely strained my sternum and rib cage, injured some internal organs blah blah. Point is I was medevac’d, hospitalized and treated. I did not have time to set up an appointment with the VA for treatment.
If you’re in a crisis you should seek immediate help – go to an Emergency Room, call a Clergy, trusted friend or a family member or at a minimum count to 10 repeatedly until you calm down and realize your purpose in life is greater than committing self-harm!
The American Addiction Centers (AAC) could be a viable option for you. The ACC is an established national organization that is dedicated to helping Veterans, non-Veterans and people of all walks of life with their mental health and substance abuse problems. An ACC affiliate is Mississippi’s own Oxford Treatment Center, home based in Etta, MS.
Both the AAC and Oxford Treatment Center offer free online resources. However, their treatment plans and counseling are fee based – meaning you have to pay for them. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires private and government-funded healthcare plans to provide coverage for substance abuse and other mental health problems. Be aware, what’s covered by each plan varies greatly. Purview the below links as reading resources only and as always conduct your own due diligence before entering into any for fee service agreement.
Oxford Treatment Center hosts free virtual support and online addiction meetings [oxfordtreatment.com] that many active duty members and veterans use to help support their recovery.
