Special Forces Suicide – Why, And What To Do About It

Here is another heartbreaking story about the toll of war on our special forces. They are the best trained of our Armed Forces, yet as I hammer home in my workshops and lectures, life can break anyone. Yet, Special Forces suicide has become an all too common reality.

http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/18/special-forces-suicide-rates-hit-record-levels-cas/

This story came out just a day after I conducted a “Responding to PTSD” class in Denver, CO and had the honor to meet a veteran who served with special forces now serving as a police officer. A fellow motorcycle rider, he was leaving after class for a long ride through the mountains on his Harley(I was jealous as hell!). We hit it off and he told me about a recovery camp for former special forces troops and their families he was helping to establish in the Durango, CO area. I was eager to share his enthusiasm and provide some encouragement. In the future, I look forward to helping him with this important endeavor.

Why is a camp like this so important? Because our military continues to avoid adequetely training our troops for mental resiliency until it is too late. We teach them how to be warriors from day one of bootcamp, yet we don’t teach them how to deal with their demons until they are discharged and we hope they go to the VA and get some help. Throughout their careers, our troops should be counseled on how war can break anyone, there should be no stigma and shame. And the sooner they get help for any “breaks” the better chance they’ll not only be back in action but the better chance they’ll be able to transition successfully when they come home.

Other than some “informational sessions”, our troops get no real counseling on dealing with the ravages of war unless they get physically hurt and are put in a wounded warrior unit. In this unit, the typical counseling scenario is 15 to 30 minutes every couple weeks to review their meds and spend a few minutes on their mental health. That isn’t enough, and often much too late. It is mostly drugs until they are sent back to their unit or disability discharged.

The VA does have programs, but the VA is passive. They cannot make anyone come to them, and getting through the door of the VA bureaucracy can be very tough even when there are good people behind that door. Also, issues like suicide and PTSD thrive in the dark. They don’t want to come forward. If we don’t reach out to them they will usually just stay alone in the dark.

This is why you need to support people like my friend. He also runs a business training police officers and others in gun handling, etc. If you have a need, visit his website at http://www.coloradogunfighter.com/, and look for future news on his special forces camp which I hope you will support.

There should be no shame or stigma in PTSD, suicidal thoughts, depression,etc. Anyone can be broken, this report is proof of that. Look out for each other folks. Love, meaning, and purpose are found when you serve another. I beg you, serve someone who is suffering today and keep serving. It isn’t just Special Forces suicide, it is all of those who have served and are hurting. It is all of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who need someone to reach into the dark to help them.

Deeds, not words.