My mind is heavy tonight, with the recent deaths in the military. I dont know how I am feeling. I am frustrated beyond belief, of what has occurred. I am frustrated because I know how this family has fought for a diagnosis. I am frustrated at a system that fails so many individuals in the civilian side as well as Canadian Force side. Mental Health is an issue and we need to educate ourselves in regards to it I am frustrated at comments of individuals that really have no idea how PTSD affects the individual and the family. I am frustrated that their is not a lot of help for anyone with Mental health issues out there. I am frustrated that individuals have to live within their own prison cells within their mind, because when they reach out and extended their hand, they are turned away. Their are not a lot of resources out there. Mental health issues are always a huge issue in our society because you cant see the disease with your eyes. It is easy to slap a bandage on someone that is bleeding, or pop a line in someone that is dehydrated but how do you help someone that the injury is in their mind. As nurses, some our not prepared unless you take special courses to be an RPN, but their is not a lot of RPNs out their, their are not enough beds in specialized hospitals, their is not a lot of funding or simply put their is not a lot programs to help those that need help. They suffer in silence and most people dont realize they are suffering because you cant see it, so it doesnt exist. Until it is too late and the pain is so great that they take their own lives and their family our there to pick up the pieces. It is so wrong on so many levels, and as a nurse in my position where I work now, I see it. I see the outcome, I see the struggles with mental health and their is just not enough help out there. But mostly their isnt a lot of understanding on mental health issues. Which brings me to the CF, soldiers are taught and trained to soldier Up, push on, push on, suck it up. People say the CF have one of the best mental health program, and maybe they do, but there is a lot of red tape to get there. The stigma of PTSD in the forces and on civi side is huge. We have to break through that stigma and the only way to do that is EDUCATION and education means funding, which means money and where is this money coming from? When veterans are fighting for help, when the cf is thinking of closing bases because of lack of funding, so where does that leave mental health? I tell you in the dumps, this is only the tip of the ice berg, it is going to get worse unless this country gets off their ass and does something, for both the Canadian forces and civi side. The first thing the CF needs to change is the mental health triage and follow up process when the members come back from tour. But one of the biggest things is to start listening to the spouses, this was one of my biggest battles we faced, good thing I was a stubborn mule headed loud mouth person, because they finally listened, but most individuals are not as vocal as I was. So we need to educate families on what to look for, how to cope and how to stand up for their loved ones, and how to fight the system and maybe if more Canadians start standing up and fighting for those that are willing to give their lives for this country, something might be done and we as Canadian citizens can start giving back to those that give everything so we all can be free.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 05:49:52 +0000
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