PTSDA concept

Mission

Our mission objective of PTSDanonymous.org appears simple but it is not -- to eventually establish a nationwide network of community based, peer to peer, non-clinical, veteran lead and self-funded support group meetings for those suffering from military trauma and seeking the fellowship of their peers.  Veterans (of all eras), their spouses and significant others are invited.

Other public support organizations have experienced their growth and public acceptance over the years. The current deployments of US forces to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other high-risk regions requires we do our best to provide help, guidance, and meetings as soon as possible. 

Background

After a year of research, this site was started in 2008 by concerned veterans and returnees in Washington State to establish pro bono, non-clinical complementary help to OIF, OEF and other conflict era veterans relative the need of individuals for local meetings before and after their entry into professional programs as desired.
    • To provide a national framework encouraging the establishment of local, non-clinical, peer and mentor veteran support groups allowing discussion of current impact of military and combat related traumatic events on their quality of life, their families, and their efforts to reintegrate into their community, colleges, and jobs.
    • These support groups would focus on the traditional stigma of seeking mental health assistance by military personnel and provide follow-on discussion and support for those who in or entering VA or Department of Defense counseling and transition programs.
    • Lead by peer/mentor group members, these local support meetings are intended to be held in an open and non-threatening environment. They are not, and should not be considered any form of counseling, treatment, or therapy.  Trauma details are not appropriate and should only be addressed by a professional counselor or para-professional peer under supervision.
    • Learning from the long and successful history of other support groups in the public domain (i.e. Alcoholics, Gamblers and Workaholics Anonymous; resume clubs, Forty Plus International & cancer support), the framework as proposed in section "meeting guidelines" is recommended for initial use in meetings.
    • This is not/not a "turnkey" or "franchise" model.  Meetings are set-up and run by the personal initiative of unpaid volunteers.  Please feel to start meetings locally, link up with PTSDA and provide us information for the listing of meetings.  

    Concept

    After long years of military involvement in Afghanistan and in Iraq, a countless number of assistance and support efforts have come into being and continue their valuable programs.

    In light of this and the additional impact of current economic times, we believe there is still another small but significant gap left to be filled in order to better assist our returnees and other veterans who have been affected by military trauma during their national service.  

    *         Low or no cost; using space donated by veterans organizations, civic clubs, college veterans clubs, local union halls, churches, etc.

    *         A future national network of listed meetings using a proven peer to peer, and standardized format and code of meeting conduct.

    *         Community level support assisted and promoted by local civic and veteran organizations.

    *         University and union level support group sponsorship places Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) doing  nation-building in our homeland environment and poor economic times, i.e. a potential VetCorps.

    *         A safe, confidential, peer and mentor support environment during hard transition times when social and family support is crucial.  Meetings are voluntary, personal, held periodically and local, and focused.

    *         Peers speak the military culture and share the current impact of traumatic experiences.  Mentors also more individual options.

    *         Allows local veterans to mentor peers reintegrating back to their community, school, or job

    *         Focused on quality of life issues and re-integration.

    *         Best practices and continuum of care for all aspects of medical and psychological treatment planning.

    *         A peer based resource of information and opinions about mental health stigma and the pros-cons of     getting available counseling and veterans’ assistance early on

    *         PTSDA meetings, in conjunction with other community support events, are a force multiplier as they    provide a safe place and a long term core support group and networking resource

     

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