Complex PTSD

I am considered mentally ill, stigmatized by society, it's ironic, for this same society is the one responsible for my condition.  Complex PTSD cam into play by what society, systems, government and others have done to me for 45 years.  Even now they continue to contribute to this condition.

I did not ask for the panic attacks, the dissociative episodes, the nightmares, the daymares, limited sleep, fear and inability to trust, the isolation, the emotional upheaval, the scenes of traumas being relived over and over, never ending as my mind does not have an off switch.

I did not ask for my reality to be blurred and distorted. I did not ask for all my physical afflictions.  I did not ask to have my identity stripped from me so I do not know who to be and what to feel, what to think and what to do.

I was molded and remolded by others like putty in their hands.  My days are spent working hard in therapy to try and undo the damage that has been done to me throughout my life.  Medications offer limited help, it does not fix the problem.

Only time can heal me.


Bonnie L. Machia
~Newspaper
~Counterpoint

**Thank you Eliza for sharing this article**

Homeless Veterans and PTSD

There recently was a time heroes returning home in flag draped coffins were denied dignity and respect. The public was not allowed to view, through photographs, the riveting and thought provoking images of somber solders in white gloves lifting a casket from the cargo area of planes as part of a heroes’ final journey home. As a veteran my heart breaks and I cry for every lost brother and sister. While the proper decorum has returned to such circumstances there are still reprehensible circumstances occurring daily regarding our former guardians. Currently there are approximately 107,000 veterans who live, eat, and sleep on the streets of America.  (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, [NCHV]  2010).

    Homeless Veterans between the ages of 18 and 30, likely those veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, are almost twice as likely to be homeless than to be in the U.S. adult population. During 2009, more than 11,300 younger veterans used a shelter. This may reflect the support available for returning veterans as they exit the war zones. The risk ratio to become homeless is high and the lag time between becoming a veteran and experiencing homelessness is unclear.  For this reason the number of homeless veterans may increase in the future.

     It has been determined there are many differences between homeless veterans and homeless non-veterans.  When comparing the two groups distinction can be seen in sex, age, substance abuse, education levels, psychiatric illness, length of homelessness and even economic statues before entering the military.  Unique circumstances such as combat exposure, post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) may also have and indirect effect on veterans since they are associated with social isolation.  These circumstances can result in psychiatric hospitalization increasing the risk of unemployment or homelessness. (Office of Community Planning and Development [OCPD]; National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans [NCHAV] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD];  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2009).

         Some distinct differences are observed.   A study showed that female veterans are three to four times more likely to become homeless than those who are not veterans.  Another study showed 61 percent of female homeless veterans are disabled with 27 percent of those being service connected.  One in four is unemployed and those who are employed generally make less the $20,000 per year.  More than half suffered military sexual trauma, 58 percent have poor or fair health. All of the women in the study used Veterans Administration health care, however, they additionally needed dental care, mental health treatment and permanent housing.  It is estimated there are currently 1,600 homeless female veterans. (Wilborn, 2010)

     Normally homeless veterans are individuals and not families.  The small number of those who are considered families are usually women (59 percent) and not disabled.  Frequently the other families have two parents unlike non-veteran homeless families.  While these families are typically inclined to be middle class once they become impoverished they are a higher risk of becoming homeless.  (OCPD et, al, 2009).  A Housing and Urban Development Study found there are 1.3 million veterans living in poverty and that at least one in 10 of them became homeless during 2009.  (Wilborn,2010).

     There can be no end to this travesty until we, as a nation, stand together and address the needs of those who have guarded all the things we hold so dear.  “We the People” owe them everything we have, are you willing to turn your back on them?   The time for complacency has passed. Henry Emerson Fosdick said “He who chooses the beginning of the road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determines the end”

      No one is willing to stand in a crowded room and shout “I want MORE taxes please”. Nor, are many of us trusting that if governmental programs were created funding would be appropriately spent. So when the words “spending” or “funding” or “new” are heard from Capitol Hill there is almost and audible groan from sea to shining sea.  It was no different when the current administration announced plans to establish programs through the Veterans Administration (VA) and U.S. Department of Labor and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with the goal being to end veteran homelessness by 2015, was announced.

     What many Americans are not aware of is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor have already been working together for the last five years to provide transitional housing and services for more than 100,00 veterans each year.  This has changed the number of homeless veterans sleeping on the streets of America from 250,000 in fiscal year 2004, to 107,000 today. (NCHV, 2009).

      It is a continuation of these efforts that the VA budgeted $3.5 billion dollars in 2010, to be used over a 5 year period and proposed a $4.2 billion in 2011.  The programs will track such things as the numbers of homeless veterans and their needs, determine local priorities, and the trends it needs to address. The health care program would identify those who needed psychiatric or substance abuse and have contracts with local facilities for such short term treatments. (Wilborn, 2010).

     In the 111^th Congress (2010) two bills regarding this program were introduced to the house and the Senate.  In the house bill H.R. 4810 (End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2010) which would cost each adult American $3 between 2010 and 2015. S, 1237 (Homeless Veterans and Other Veterans Care Authorities Act of 2010).

H.R. 4810  (End Veteran Homeless Act of 2010) would provide the following:

·         Grant and Per Diem at $200 million in fiscal year 2010. 

·         Participating Veteran Administration Medical Centers (VAMC) employ at least one Housing Urban Development-Veterans Administrative Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) out-reach specialist;

·         Coordinates assistance for homeless veterans through HUD’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. (HPRP). (House Bill 4810)

   S 1237 ( Homeless Veterans and Other Veterans Health Care Authorities Act of 2010) would provide

·         $200 million in fiscal year 2010 and such necessary funds through fiscal year 2014. 

·         Allows VA Secretary one year to study reimbursement rate.

·         Permits grants to be used for construction of new facilities.

·         Expands special needs grants by including males with children, allowing dependents to directly receive services. 

·         Builds out HUD-VASH to 60,000 vouchers by fiscal year 2013.

·         Establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs within HUD.

·         $50 million through fiscal year 2014 to prevent Veteran homelessness.

·         $10 million through fiscal year 2014 for reintegration of homeless women veteran (includes job training, counseling, placement services and child care.

·         Establishes a method for data collection and aggregation of homeless veterans participating in VA and HUD programs.

·         Directs VA secretary to submit a comprehensive plan to end vet homelessness to Congress within one year.  (S 1237)

     Because these bills were not approved during the 111^th Congress they will have to be rewritten and/or reintroduced. Despite the setback some of the provisions have been enacted. There are new registries, a Special Needs Assistance Program Director for HUD has been announced, nearly 4,300 points of contacts have been established for homeless veterans including VA medical centers, community outreach centers, outpatient clinics and counseling centers. 

  

   Wouldn’t you know it though, before new legislation has even been introduced, there has already been a “pay cut”.  The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans announced on March 1, 2011, that the U.S. House of representatives passed an act that would eliminate $75 million dollars for approximately 60,000 new supportive housing vouchers for chronically homeless veterans in fiscal year 2011.  These are the same vouchers used in the collaborative efforts between the Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, and the Veterans Administration which has assisted thousands of Veterans in moving off the streets. 

  

  Politicans could not manage being cold, hungry, looking over their shoulder just to make sure they are safe. It would take fortitude to find something to eat, aptitude to adjust to little clothing and lesser warmth at night.  They will never be honest and admit they can’t and don’t understand the plight of the homeless because they haven’t been there, or anywhere close.  They don’t understand PTSD, addiction, or mental illness. They can’t fathom the idea of living in a car, under a bridge, in an abandoned building and resorting to  “any means necessary” to survive is inconceivable to them. Selling or running drugs, stealing or selling yourself just to get your next meal is unfathomable to their flawed minds.

  

  These are the men and women who have dinners at places where food is $250 per plate.  These are men and women who buy gowns that cost thousands of dollars and wear them only once.  These are men and women who raise millions of dollars to get elected and then claim they are just like you, they understand you, and they represent you. Excuse me while I laugh.

 

  It is the same people that have taken housing from these “guardians of your liberties” and allocated money you pay every year to their pet projects, those who donate to their campaigns, dinner at those high priced plates, and those who lobby the hardest for something they want.

   

     It is our responsibility to be the voice for the men and women who truly served this country not just provided lip service.  We are obligated to lobby on their behalf by speaking up and telling those who sit on Capitol Hill we refuse to allow this reprehensible circumstance continue.

   It doesn’t require travel.  It doesn’t require money. Well, maybe a stamp, opening your email, or making a telephone call.  Don’t think “awh, someone else will do it” because then our voice becomes only a whisper.  We need to be Loud and we need to be Strong.  Washington should hear all Americans when we say: “This should be a priority when you budget OUR money! Reprioritize and send the message to us all, “ I serve those who have served me, I no longer serve myself!” 

H.Res. 4810,111^th Cong., 111Cong.Rec.111-449 (2010) Referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs

National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans. (2009) Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe  Reader Version].  Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. (2010). Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee      on Veterans’ Affairs.  Retrieved from website://httpwww.nchv.org/content.cfm?id=92

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (2011) House Cuts 10,000 New Housing Vouchers for Homeless Veterans in FY 2011. Retrieved from http://www.nchv.org/news_article.cfm?id=869

Office on Community Planning and Development. (2009) Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe  Reader Version].  Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf

S.1237.111^th Cong.,Cong.Rec.D60 (2010) Business Meeting, Homeless Veterans and Other Veterans Health Care Authorities Act of 2010

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2009) Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe  Reader Version].  Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2009) Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. (First Supplemental) [Adobe  Reader Version].  Retrieved from http://www.hudhre.info/documents/2009AHARVeteransReports.pdf

Wilborn, T. (2010, Jan. Feb) Homeless Veterans. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 14-15

AUTHOR: GEM's Sparkle