A PTSD Safe (and Anonymous) Haven

Not Alone, a non-profit founded in 2008 by Mike Jones, a West Point grad with tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq, to help combat vets and their families deal with PTSD through a confidential and anonymous community kicked off operations in the Washington area this week.

This follows earlier efforts by the group at Fort Bragg, Fort Hood and Fort Lewis, with help offered both online and via phone at 1-866-781-8010.

Combat vets are reluctant to talk to anyone -- even their family members -- about their stress and experiences, and the forums offer a safe place for some truly raw, but necessary dialogue, such as this post:

"I got home about a week ago. I was doing ok over there. Here is a different story. Cant sleep. Cant eat. I throw up at random times (WTF is that about) I cant talk to my wife I dont want to. I was a door kicker. I'm gerenerally not a violent person at home two days I threw a glass at my daughter. I left I spent the night in a cemetary with my LT who I lost over there. I feel responsible for eveything. I hate everyone. I have so much rage inside me I left for fear that I would hurt my family. I cant talk about anything with anyone exept the person that was with me on that day. That day. I cant even say what day. I know I need help. I dont want to see some jerk-off ass who was never there. They dont understand. How can they?"

This was followed by a reply which offered the advice from a soldier who had also faced similar problems:

"I was 3 BDE, 101st, two tours. I've been there. I know exactly what you are going through. I've been in the bars late at night. My first year back from the second tour I didn't want to be around anyone. I got divorced, told my family to stay away. I was miserable and didn't know what to do. Some days I still don't know what to do. And your right, they don't get it. I still find myself in Walmart or somewhere else sometimes just pissed off at people who have no clue that there is a war going on. And with my kids, I found myself doing the same thing. I've had to learn how to calm down and just walk away a lot of times. I have no patience. I know what it's like. I'm also starting to figure out ways around it. The patrols came home with me. Now I'm trying to get them to stop."

This is one of the best kinds of therapy - individuals sharing similar experiences with one another. But unfortunately it's mostly ignored by the Military Health System.

Last week, Not Alone signed on a new high-profile chairman, retired Rear Adm. Edward "Sonny" Masso, former commander of the Navy Personnel Command. He described Not Alone as "a rally point for warriors returning from combat and their families on the home front. It is an organization and community where warriors and families come together to overcome their challenges and share their experiences in a new world -- the new normal that exists after war."