Very well said brother. Thank you starting this thread and really taking the time to input all that information.

Agree about the ER. Unfortunately, it's a lot of people's starting point. They bottle up everything and have trouble adjusting to civilian life after being "relevant" for so long in the military. You are always accounted for 24/7. But one day that all goes away and your mind starts to wonder……some good and some bad. There's a breaking point eventually and it will probably be a traumatic one. Something that causes you to finally see help and hopefully you have a support system that can keep you accountable and advocate for your health when you aren't capable of doing so.

Like bigtruck said, work on self-care now before it escalates. I highly recommend Peer-Support Groups. TVC offers support groups and so does the VA, along with other Veteran Service Organizations.

Heck, I wouldn't mind having an TexAgs support group if it would be beneficial to anyone.

With that being said, if anyone needs to ever get something off their chest or help navigating life, I'm just a PM away. Vets helping Vets.

https://veteransmentalhealth.texas.gov/military-veteran-peer-network/

bigtruckguy3500 said:

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There was a post on the R&P forum about suicide, and it reminded me to post here. Remember, it's that time of year where you're either really happy, or really sad. You either have family to go home to, or you don't. You're on duty during the holidays, or you're enjoying a prolonged period of bureaucratic holidays and half days. Combined with the cold and less sunlight, this is one of the most dangerous times of the year for mental health.

Keep an eye out on your people. Encourage them to seek help early. The ER is not the place for these people to get help, unless they're acutely at risk for suicide. Otherwise the ER is very limited in what it can do. And depending on the hospital, going to the ER doesn't mean they're ever going to see anyone other than the ER doc. There's no harm in sending to the ER if you're concerned, but the best way is for them to get a referral from their PCM early, or seek other counseling services that aren't directly DoD Medical related.

Some resources to consider:
Military family life counselors
Military OneSource
OSCARs - if your unit has them
Chaplains
Substance Abuse Counseling Center - can usually self refer
Fleet and Family Support Centers/MWR counselors
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline/Military Crisis Line: 988 (option 1 for military/veterans) OR 1-800-273-8255
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): 1-800-959-8277

Paging Aggie Therapist for his input as well.

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I talked to an army medical NCO. He said a visit to the ER will get the ball rolling for people who need help with mental challenges.

Let me clarify. Go to the ER only for emergencies.

Tanker123 said:

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I talked to an army medical NCO. He said a visit to the ER will get the ball rolling for people who need help with mental challenges.

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I would disagree, but I guess it could depend on the local hospital. The problem with viewing the ER as just a place to go for everything to get done faster is that when it's not an emergency, it bogs down the system immensely. If someone is suicidal, or feels unsafe, then yes, go to the ER. Otherwise it is best to go through their unit medical provider.

The ER will usually not even call the mental health doc on duty unless they think someone needs to be admitted for suicidal ideation. If someone is just having a hard time, they're usually provided with a list of resources, and told to follow up with their primary care doc/unit medical. Depending on the MTF, it's possible they may have a next day follow up appointment with mental health that can be expedited by going to the ER, but this is often just a screening appointment that the individual could have gotten by just going to the mental health department at the hospital themselves during business hours.

When people treat everything as an emergency, then nothing is an emergency. And the actual suicidal patient with a gun at home that needs help gets tired of sitting 6 hours in the waiting room and leaves.



Also, not saying that this medical NCO doesn't know what they're talking about, but I've heard many corpsmen/medics tell their people that have an appointment scheduled for a specialist or an MRI or something a few weeks out to just go to the ER because they'll do it right away if you just exaggerate your symptoms a little. I can't stress how much this is not the case, and how much it bogs down the system. Because everyone that checks into the ER needs a full set of vitals, needs to be roomed, seen by a physician, have a complete physical exam, encounter note written in the chart, and needs to be discharged by the nurse.

ETA: the ER is also like hitting the easy button for people that can't or won't do their job by making something someone else's problem.

Let me clarify. Go to the ER only in emergencies.

Hey Aggie Therapist, I have a question for you based on your perspective thru your job and experience but do not have a premium account to dm you. Are you reachable thru an email?

Sure thing!

bourbonag89 at gmail

I have done extensive coaching with people with PTSD on my own time and dime.

Thank you for your efforts.