War Retreat Quote from this website…
“When Marine veteran Clay Hunt killed himself in 2011, it was a wake up call for everyone to pay attention to the deeper layers. From the surface, it seemed that the voraciousness with which Clay advocated for other veterans, rode with Ride to Recovery, and went with Team Rubicon on their maiden voyage to help in Haiti –that he was in the clear. But anxiety, depression, fears, and the video loop that replayed the trauma of war would not let up. Clay killed himself in his apartment in Houston. Clay, like the “147,763 suicides in 21 states over the 13 years “ left behind friends, families and others who loved and always tried to be reassuring.”
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When you look at the above picture of Clay Hunt he looks happy and content. At this moment he probably was feeling pretty good because he was among others and experiencing “human connectedness” and “mindfulness.” (Click reference links.) It is when a person troubled with symptoms of PTSD is alone that the flashbacks and reliving trauma, including extreme guilt are ever present. If we can make an extra effort to be more vigilant with loved ones and friends who have experienced severe trauma from extended combat or for other reasons, including rape and sole survivor accidents, we may well save lives. The troubled soul is often a great actor in the middle of daily interactions with others. It is at night and the lonely times that the highest risk of suicide is present. I am no mental health professional, but have experienced intrusive thoughts and hopelessness in my life that created a mindset of how to escape the pain. Suicide is the ultimate escape for some when there is no more hope. Don’t allow your loved one who is just beginning the healing process to be alone. Be with them, be engaged, keep hope alive 24/7… Help them kick start the journey of healing and begin to live a healthy, happy, and productive quality of life.
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
