Brenda Skidmore's Health Tips

A first of its kind, large-scale, and nongovernmental survey was conducted by the 'Rand' Corporation, a non-profit organization that studied the effects of mental health conditions, in comparison to other physical war injuries, on our U.S. troops. This survey encompassed the Iraq and Afghanistan wars beginnning from 2001 to the present. The survey estimated that about 18.5, or 300,000, U.S. service personnel suffers from symptoms of the mental health condition called post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, and about half of them are not seeking or receiving treatment for it.

The Rand Corporation survey also estimated that another 320,000 service men and women have sustained a possible traumatic brain injury during active duty. The researchers could not, however, specifically determine how many of those cases were serious or required treatment.

Why aren't more of our military personnel people getting the help that they so desperately need? The biggest reason is stigma (embarrassment) of what their superiors and colleagues will think of them. They also fear it could end their careers.

The second biggest reason is the military has a severe shortage of mental health professionals. The same can be said of the civilian population as well. So, those who do seek some form of treatment for mental health problems, due to serving their country, are finding it only minimally adequate. Here is what I found appalling, as many as 1/4 of active duty soldiers who were asessed as mentally unfit were being put back in the danger zone for repeat tours of duty! This is , most likely, the reason for a higher than normal suicide rate.

This is all pretty sad news, and should not be all that surprising, considering that WAR is a known traumatic experience for many. It is, after all, to be expected. You are going to find post-traumatic stress symptoms such as persistent frightening thoughts and memories, emotional numbness, sleep problems, and startled reactions in a lot of people that are involved in a terrifying life event.

Many people go through situations like natural weather disasters, car wreaks, muggings, and rapes everyday. No one ever knows for sure what emotional tolerance they may, or may not have, to these type of situations. The mental stress that can arise from negative, ordinary daily life events can remind a person of the past trauma and trigger a flash back anytime. Many are, also, becoming quite leery of prescription drug treatments for mental health issues, and with good reasoning.

Most people (U.S. troops or civilians) who are suffering from mental distress and seek treatment for it are, more often than not, funneled into our mainstream mental health system. Which, as most can see, has not had that many happy successes. A few may find some relief in this system model, but many more continue to suffer long-term and needlessly because of it.

The Emotional Freedom Technique is not considered a serious form of mainstream mental health treatment, yet. Hopefully this will soon change as more become aware of its existence. It has a very high success rate. Most will not be able work through their traumatic emotional event for the first time alone, so finding a competent and experienced practitioner is recommended. However, the good news is there is likely an experienced person near you who can help. They can teach you how to do it yourself, and you can learn more on your own. Learning this technique can keep you mentally healthy and fit for life.

Diets are, almost, never properly addressed in conventional medicine. Yet, it is another overlooked avenue for feeling better. Most people simply underestimate the power of nutrition, period. The sad part is, our troops have more disadvantages than the rest of us in healthy daily food choices. Fresh fruits and vegetables are almost a luxury in military dinning halls overseas.

War is an activity that a human, on an emotional and spiritual level, is not naturally accustomed to, or wants to naturally gravitate towards. Our true inner self wants only to experience all the joy, love, happiness, and bliss we can find for ourselves. Fighting one another over things that are, basically, trivial nothings are promoted by those who fear there is not enough of anything to go around for everybody. This is how we are manipulated, and taught to follow someone else's power trip agenda.

Funny thing... all the oil in the world, the sinking value of the American dollar, and maxed-out credit vouchers are not going to seem like much to be fighting over when, someday, we all wake up in the near future and realize that clean water is our future. Clean and unspoiled natural water resources is what is necessary to remain alive and well on planet Earth.

Do you suppose some will think that there is not enough of that to go around for everybody, and future wars will be fought over plain old Water rights? I think if we don't change our ways soon, it may be a distinct possibility.