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Utmost gratitude to the Patton family for touching all of us today with their incredibly heartfelt story about their son who committed suicide 2 years ago. Your efforts to raise suicide awareness to protect Soldiers from committing this irreversible tragedy is appreciated. Thank you for your time!
— Charlie Company, 82ND BSB, 3rd BCT, 82nd ABN DIV

It was very powerful message. I think it reached a lot of people's hearts and will remind them to keep an eye out for their friends. Thank you.
—Soldier from Fort Bragg

Great presentation and message today. Very grateful to have been able to be there for it.
— Soldier from Fort Bragg

I am more than 100% sure that she will save lives.
— Soldier from Fort Bragg

I like the website because the information is arranged in small sections and it is easy to understand. It helped me understand what I am feeling.
— From a Veteran

This is so awesome!!! He had such a big heart as well!!
— Soldier from Fort Hood

Real Stories from Active-Duty and Veteran Service Members and Families Like Yours

Active-Duty Service Member Story

Usually, MFP receives stories via the website that go through my email for editing to ensure anonymity. Recently, I received a call because the person in question wanted to tell me his story instead of writing it down. That is fine with me because I read through the stories anyway. This story involves a Soldier’s encounter with mental health professionals while active duty and the need for support as a Veteran. Read more.

This Soldier had problems seeking out mental health services because of stigma and problems with his leadership. Once he had the courage to seek out help, he felt the doctors didn't really care. Read more.

Veteran Service Member Story

A Veteran describes the negative consequences that can happen when a Service member leaves his or her branch of service unprepared because of inadequate preparation from his or her Service branch. Read more.

A Veteran talks about a therapy called Alpha Stim and how it is working, or not working, for him or her. Read more.

A Veteran, who decided he was ready for mental health care, specifically counseling, asked MPF for help finding a mental health center that would potentially do some sessions over the phone because he travels daily. This Veteran dislikes the VA and does not trust it, so MPF found something similar that fills his needs. He is now in counseling. Read more.

Military Family Story

Here is a tragic story that illustrates how mental health issues affect generations of family members. The person who submitted this story urges everyone to seek care to achieve mental health wellness. Read more.

Here is a story from a woman who is heart broken from losing the man she loved; a love that began years ago when she saw him across a diner and then bloomed when given a second chance when they met again years later. Their story ends tragically, like many these days, when he died as a result of what we now know as PTSD. He served in Vietnam where the symptoms were seen as they are today. He suffered especially from substance use, hypervigilance and a severe sleep disorder, but he didn’t have the current medical diagnosis of PTSD until it was too late. Like Veterans today, he endured bad and inappropriate care from the VA and he solved the problem the way too many Veterans do; he ended is his pain by putting a bullet through his head. Now, this woman suffers, as do many of us. Please read this poignant, heartbreaking story to understand we need action now. Our Veterans have been suffering far too long and suicide should never be an option. Read more.

One spouse explains how they were not properly educated about health care benefits prior to her husband's separation from the Army. Read more.

About Matthew Story

This is a story written by a friend of Matthews while he was active-duty. Thank you for writing in about our son. Read more.

Latest News

"Gender Differences in the Association of Military Sexual Trauma with Suicide Risk"

A recent study finds that there is a significant association between military sexual assault in males and increased risk of psychiatric problems, such as depression, PTSD, impulsivity, and substance use. More alarming is the increased incidence of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts by these men. Many men do not report sexual assault because of the military culture that instills dangerous levels of machismo and fosters fear of looking weak. Many sexually-assaulted males feel shame and self-hatred and fear being ridiculed and ostracized by the very people who are supposed to support them in both combat and noncombat situations. It is important that males who are sexually assaulted show that they are not victims by reporting and prosecuting their perpetrators. This will send the message that this apparently insidious crime will not be tolerated and will help the assaulted male limit mental health problems and potentially prevent their suicide. Portions of this study are available here. The full version with references can be found at: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/08/military-sexual-trauma.pdf Read more.

"MPF Receives $15,000 Donation"

This evening (August 27, 2015), Deacons Paul and Bette Steger informed us that as part of its mission to fund local nonprofits, the North Congregational Church in Fall River MA has donated $15,000 to MPF. This money will help us fulfill our mission to educate active-duty and Veteran Service members about suicide prevention and other mental health issues. We thank them very much for their generosity as they have provided us some much needed resources to help the men and women who fight for and protect the freedoms we enjoy everyday. Read more.

"Study: Wider variety of therapies could help vets, troops with PTSD"

An article titled “Study: Wider variety of therapies could help vets, troops with PTSD” by Steven Beardsley published in Stars and Stripes August 4, 2015 (http://www.stripes.com/news/study-wider-variety-of-therapies-could-help-vets-troops-with-ptsd-1.361323) examines alternative therapies available for Service members with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The therapies described include: Cognitive–Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Present-Centered Therapy (PCT), and Mindfulness Therapy (MT). In short the article states that coping skill-based therapies achieve results similar to therapies that involve confronting traumatic memories. Although, CPT achieved slightly better short-term results, all therapies showed similar long-term improvements. This suggests that Service members with PTSD find and use a therapy that bests works for them, so they continue treatment long-term in order to achieve their best state of mental health wellness. Read more.

"Treating Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mood Disorders"

An article titled, “Treating Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mood Disorders” by Dr. Stephen M. Strakowski (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/849178?src=wnl_edit_tpal&uac=192771AZ#vp_1) describes the treatment patients should receive with co-occurring mood disorders, (e.g., major depressive disorder {MDD}) and substance use. It emphasizes the need to assess for the presence of one disorder when a patient presents with the other. For example, if a patient presents with MDD, medical personnel are compelled to assess for the presence of substance use, and vice versa. It describes the absolute necessity that both conditions be treated at the same time and with as few medications as possible, ideally less than three. Additionally, changes to the treatment plan when needed should be as few as possible and occur in one treatment arm at a time, which emphasizes the need for consistent and continual monitoring of the patients conditions, treatment plan, and response to treatment. It advocates for the use of standard-based components of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that work for each disorder to be used as a combination treatment. MPF posted this article to help active-duty and Veteran Service members understand how they should be diagnosed, treated, and monitored long-term for mood disorders and substance use, so they can get better. And you can! Read more.

"Verbal "Updating" Therapy Reduces PTSD"

Verbal “updating” therapy is used for chronic PTSD suffers. It works by stopping a person with PTSD from combining memories that if left unchecked would in effect worsen his or her PTSD, and thus, is protective. However, researchers are showing that this therapy is useful for prevention of PTSD if it is used within a six hour window after a traumatic event called the “consolidation window.” Read more.

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