If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
The Blog
We should use this Memorial Day as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that American soldiers of all social and political stripes have made in defense of our country.
There has never been an investigation, ceremonial firings, media outrage, or congressional hearings as to "why" the nation has failed again to meet the mental health needs of the warrior class.
When you look at what the men and women in our military have endured and volunteered to take on (much of we civilians will never know and understand) it really comes as no surprise as to why they are exactly the kind of employees organizations should be fighting over.
Although two of the greatest attributes of our country might be our competitive spirit and our defense of our values and freedoms, one can't help but wonder at what price. Brains are the tie that binds us, but are we really coming undone? Think about it.
The anxiety facing veterans as they return to their communities is matched by an overwhelming sense of uncertainty back home. Our history and our American heritage demonstrated that we are at our best when we overcome adversity together.
The question I face about our work is, "Doesn't the VA handle this?" The Department of Veterans Affairs works tirelessly to address the mental health needs of vets, but the reality is that it can't provide care to all those who have served.
The VA has done nothing more than give sound advice based on the best medical and public health knowledge about the risks of guns. For doing so, it now faces the wrath of the gun lobby.
Caregivers are a forgotten branch of our military. They tend to the mental and physical wounds of those who return from war, helping them get the benefits they deserve and bridging the gap between what doctors and nurses can give and what veterans need.
It is our intent to showcase veterans who are looking for work, many who suffer from PTS/TBI, and the employers who have stepped up to hire them through the 10,000 Jobs for Veterans and Military Spouses Challenge.
The Friday before Mother's Day each year is known as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Like me, I would imagine those reading this would agree that everyday should be Mothers Day, and everyday should also be a day where we appreciate and recognize military spouses.
Donna Bachler's brother was a veteran who struggled with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "Darrin took his own life rather than struggle...
At issue is a parsing of government programs that essentially eliminates one survivor's benefit for another. To civilians, this is analogous to someone telling us that we can have a deceased spouse's retirement money or life insurance -- but not both.
Although it's becoming more difficult to find veterans from older wars, their patriotic spirit can continue to live on through younger generations.
You think it is hard to pick out a veteran in a room? Good luck picking out the spouse, the caregiver, the mother or father of a veteran. You may see them in a VA waiting room or at the trailhead for a wounded warrior hike, but how will you recognize them?
While every member of the health care team needs to be attuned to the possibility of PTSD and TBI, nurses must be particularly prepared to serve our military and their families with expert clinical care and innovative research on these most serious disorders.
Last week, Congressman Joe Walsh denigrated the years of service his opponent, Tammy Duckworth, has given this nation. It was a new low.
