Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Veterans are suffering a “mental breakdown” epidemic, often linked to post traumatic stress from the terrors of combat, traumatic brain injury, and drug and alcohol abuse. The problems triggered by an excessive number of deployments, financial and family trouble, fragmented or nonexistent support systems, and increased domestic stress have caused a mass depression among vets. Healing Suicidal Veterans takes readers firsthand into the “situation room” where crisis intervention and addiction therapist Victor Montgomery explores the psychological wounds of war and the ways they contribute to the tragedy of suicidal veterans. He presents the Montgomery Model for ending veterans' suffering and anguish and putting them on solid paths to healing. The book offers veterans strategies for realizing they are not failures if they seek aid, and it gives families and loved ones ways to understand, cope with, and help their veteran in need.
Preface xiii
Introduction I
Part I Iraq And Afghanistan Combat Veterans
Chapter 1 A Family in Crisis Cries Out for Help! 7
An Iraq Vet
Chapter 2 Honoring God 25
A Vet's Story about Transformation
Chapter 3 One Combat Pilot's Struggle 33
The Iraq War
Chapter 4 "I am a Monster" 45
Two Tours in Al-Fallujah, Iraq
Chapter 5 Women in the Iraqi War Zones 59
Chapter 6 Extreme Mental Hardship 73
Three Tours in Afghanistan
Part II Gulf Wars And Beirut Veterans
Chapter 7 Casualties of the Gulf Wars 85
Chapter 8 A Suicide Note Sent to a Friend 101
Part III Vietnam And Korea Veterans
Chapter 9 Bloody Boots and Body Bags 117
Chapter 10 "It Don't Mean Nothin'" 131
Chapter 11 The Vets of Korea 145
Chapter 12 The Tide Within 157
Chapter 13 The Psychological Wounds of War 187
Chapter 14 Heart-to-Heart Resuscitation 201
Conclusion 207
Appendix A Veteran support and Healthcare Eligibility 211
Appendix B Veteran Resources 222
Acknowledgments 227
Notes 228
Select Bibliography 234
Overview
Veterans are suffering a “mental breakdown” epidemic, often linked to post traumatic stress from the terrors of combat, traumatic brain injury, and drug and alcohol abuse. The problems triggered by an excessive number of deployments, financial and family trouble, fragmented or nonexistent support systems, and increased domestic stress have caused a mass depression among vets. Healing Suicidal Veterans takes readers firsthand into the “situation room” where crisis intervention and addiction therapist Victor ...