Wounds of War Have Heavy Price

January 19, 2010

Anonymous The McCreary County Record Wed Jan 20, 2010, 02:02 PM EST

Dear Editor:

The wounds of war are not always easy to see.

In addition to the physical injuries sustained in conflict, countless servicemen and women have experienced psychological symptoms directly related to their deployment.

Recent studies estimate that 300,000 men and women have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe depression or post-traumatic stress. And there are 18 suicides on average each day among America’s 25 million veterans. Here in Kentucky, Fort Campbell’s suicide rate is currently the highest in the Army. An average of one soldier per week committed suicide there between January and mid-March, 2009.

Given the military culture's emphasis on confidence, strength, and bravery, many service members are reluctant to expose personal vulnerabilities to professional counselors.

Recently, Kentucky Gov. Stephen Beshear announced that Kentucky joined the Give an Hour™ initiative, a nonpartisan, nonprofit national network of mental health professionals providing one hour of free counseling services each week to our returning troops and their families.

Give an Hour™ provides separate and personal services to service members who might otherwise fail to seek or receive appropriate care.

The number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder jumped by almost 70 percent over the 12 months ending June 30, 2007, according to VA records. Give an Hour™ hopes to supplement the psychological services the military offers.

Kentucky’s goal is to enlist at least 400 clinicians, just 10 percent of our licensed mental health providers. For more information or to sign up to volunteer or receive services through Give an Hour™, please visit;:

www.kentuckysuicideprevention.org

Michael McFarland, LMFT

State Suicide Prevention Coordinator

Kentucky Department for Mental Health,

Developmental Disabilities,

and Addiction Services

100 Fair Oaks Lane 4E-D

Frankfort, KY 40621

502-564-4456 ext 4518

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