Battling the Storm Within Blog

As the Author of the #1 Amazon National-International Best Seller War Memoir “Battling the Storm Within” about living 20 years undiagnosed with PTSD, MST and the GWI. My mission is to empower others to address their own personal traumas, be healed, restored and live again. I believe in telling the truth, living the truth and being the truth. I will share the truth for it sets you free. I have battled my storm that was within me and won, so can you! Peace and blessings Sgt. Stephanie J. Shannon

Saturday, November 29, 2014

9 Reasons It's Still Incredibly Hard to Be a Woman In The Military

9 Reasons It's Still Incredibly Hard to Be a Woman In The Military

Since the majority of those serving in the Armed Forces are still men, their voices are the ones most clearly heard. But the truth is, women have long contributed to military efforts — and now on an unprecedented level — you just don’t hear our stories that often. We are recognized for our ability to “fit in” and not draw attention to ourselves, and to “hang with the guys,” with no acknowledgement of how freaking hard that actually is.

Read more....
http://www.bustle.com/articles/37036-9-reasons-its-still-incredibly-hard-to-be-a-woman-in-the-military

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Posttraumatic stress disorder and preterm birth

The study authors note that preterm birth is a leading cause of infant morbidity (adverse health conditions) and mortality in the US

Many women who serve in the military suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also occur as a result of a traumatic experience, such as rape or a terrorist attack, in civilian life. A number of women who suffer from PTSD become pregnant. A new study examined the effect of PTSD on pregnancy. The study was published in the December edition of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto Health Care System.

The study authors note that preterm birth is a leading cause of infant morbidity (adverse health conditions) and mortality in the US; 12% of deliveries are preterm, and approximately half occur spontaneously rather than a result of a medical indication. A number of risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth have been positively identified, including demographic characteristics, substance abuse, and multiple pregnancies, the cause remains poorly understood. Over the past two decades, little progress has been made in reducing the incidence of preterm birth. An increasing number of studies have suggested a role for psychosocial factors such as maternal stress and depression; however, the effect of PTSD remains unclear.

Read more...

http://www.examiner.com/article/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-and-preterm-birth

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Our View: Help prevent vets’ suicides

Bipartisan bills moving through the U.S. House and Senate to address the suicide epidemic among veterans represent a good start to addressing this issue.

The legislation is aimed at shoring up some mental health programs for veterans, and offers some incentives to hire more psychiatrists or speed up wait times for vets needing to see mental health professionals.

Read more...

http://www.mankatofreepress.com/opinion/editorials/our-view-help-prevent-vets-suicides/article_4031ad0b-5adb-5a30-8332-dc2b552cfe33.html

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Why You Don't Know She's a Military Veteran and Four Things You Can Do

As I begin to process the whirlwind, recent Women Veteran Career Development Forum in Washington D.C., I've been wanting to write about the event. It included a keynote speech from First Lady Michelle Obama, the National Business Women's Week (NBWW) awards, actionable information for women veterans to communicate their valuable service stories and skills, mentors and employers eager to hire the women veteran job seekers and much more.

On my last day in Washington D.C., I met with a woman in the Women's Health Services section at the headquarters of the Department of Veteran Affairs; she had also attended the forum. I shared a story from the event that brought her to tears. Our conversation helped me realize something I truly didn't understand before - yet paradoxically, I'm realizing that it's the thing that motivates my work as a woman veteran and entrepreneur every day. In writing about this epiphany, it's my hope that more Americans will understand why there are women who served in our armed forces who do NOT openly identify themselves as veterans.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Veteran Affairs Committee probes mental health, suicide among veterans

The Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday that explored mental health treatment and suicide among veterans.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the ranking member of the committee, said the focus should be on improving mental health and cited a survey that found most veterans don’t believe their symptoms have improved. Read more.....

http://riponadvance.com/news/veteran-affairs-committee-probes-mental-health-suicide-among-veterans/9732

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Friday, November 21, 2014

Veterans' suicides prove VA must improve services, mothers testify

The mother of an Army National Guard soldier who killed himself less than seven weeks ago pleaded with Congress on Wednesday to do more to save troops and veterans suffering from combat-related mental health conditions.

Valerie Pallotta, whose son, Pfc. Joshua Pallotta, 25, died Sept. 23, tearfully described the challenges she and her husband faced when Joshua returned from Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder and the nightmare they've lived since police officers knocked on the door of their Vermont home at 3:37 a.m. to tell them Joshua was dead.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Variety of VA benefits are available to female veterans

Women served in the United States military as early as the Revolutionary War. Since then, women of all ages, ranks and levels of authority have entered every branch of service, made significant contributions, and suffered the same sacrifices as men. As a woman with military service, you may qualify for a wide range of benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Female veterans may be eligible for a wide variety of benefits available to all U.S. military veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment and burial.

Read more...

http://journaltimes.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/variety-of-va-benefits-are-available-to-female-veterans/article_bf17614e-94ff-5eeb-b913-c4f28b38f9f5.html

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Robert McDonald: Cleaning up the VA - Watch Video

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs tells Scott Pelley about his personal mission to reorganize the troubled agency for his fellow vets.

The following is a script of "Cleaning up the VA" which aired on Nov. 9, 2014. Scott Pelley is the correspondent. Guy Campanile, producer.

Tomorrow, the day before Veterans Day, the new head of Veterans Affairs will announce the biggest reorganization in the history of the VA, which comes after the agency's biggest fiasco. It was last spring that we learned that tens of thousands of vets were waiting months for medical care while managers cooked the books to hide the delays. The former secretary was forced out. Tonight we have the first interview with the new man in charge. Sixty-one-year-old Robert McDonald has no government or medical experience but he does know management. He was chief executive officer of Procter & Gamble, the largest consumer products company in the world. And we wanted to know how a soap salesman will go about cleaning up the VA.

Watch Video....

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-mcdonald-cleaning-up-the-veterans-affairs-hospitals/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Monday, November 17, 2014

New data show long wait times remain at many VA hospitals #VAreform

WASHINGTON — More than 600,000 veterans — 10% of all the Veterans Affairs patients — continue to wait a month or more for appointments at VA hospitals and clinics, according to data obtained by USA TODAY.

The VA has made some progress in dealing with the backlog of cases that forced former secretary Eric Shinseki to retire early this year. For instance, the VA substantially cut the overall number of worst-case scenarios for veterans — those who had waited more than four months for an appointment. That figure dropped from 120,000 in May to 23,000 in October. Much of that improvement occurred because patients received care from private providers.

Read more...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/16/long-wait-times-persist-at-many-va-hospitals/19033789/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Despite efforts, veteran suicides remain alarming. #22toomany

The statistics are jarring, and they don't seem to be changing.An estimated 22 veterans take their own lives every day in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In Minnesota, it's a similar pattern. A St. Cloud Times analysis of death records found that 102 people who had served in the armed forces killed themselves in Minnesota in 2013.

Veterans in Minnesota are dying by suicide at a rate more than double that of the general population — an estimated 30 per 100,000 last year, compared to 12.5 per 100,000 in the general population.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

America's women veterans deserve better

More than a quarter-million American women served honorably in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. These brave women sacrificed much to keep us safe. Now that they are home, our country has a solemn obligation to help them transition back to civilian life.

Yet there is mounting evidence that America is not fulfilling this obligation. Based on currently available data, it is clear that our country isn't fully meeting the unique physical, emotional and employment needs of women veterans. When they return home, they receive less support than their male counterparts from government programs primarily designed for men.

Read more....

http://www.turlockjournal.com/section/26/article/27943/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Friday, November 14, 2014

Veterans and suicide: a local Marine pleads for action - VIDEO #22toomany

A Marine veteran who lost 20 members of his battalion in Afghanistan is searching for answers and searching for help after losing 20 more to suicide after they came home.
"Nobody expected to deal with it 20 times," said Sgt. Will Rollins, now a deputy with the

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. "We've lost 20 Marines, 20 men in combat and we're now up to 20 on suicide. I just don't think that should be a number that's even close to each other."

Watch Video....

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/12/veterans-suicide-plea-for-action/18906421/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

What is Military Sexual Trauma - Video

We often hear about veterans being neglected. Homelessness, unemployment, wait times at the VA. But what about sexual abuse? Not many have heard of the Military Sexual Trauma Diagnosis, an many are afraid to come forward. Laura Neal tells us more about MST and how many veterans are learning they're not alone.

Watch Video...

http://www.ktul.com/clip/10839316/military-sexual-trauma

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Moral Injury Is The 'Signature Wound' Of Today's Veterans

U.S. soldiers stand at a checkpoint around Lakokhel camp in Afghanistan in 2010. Many soldiers return from war suffering from "moral injuries," or dealing with the fact that their sense that right and wrong was violated.

The biggest thing that [the veterans] told me was that they're carrying around this horrible idea that they are bad people because they've done something bad and they can't ever tell anybody about it — or they don't dare tell anybody about it — and may not even be able to admit it to themselves.

- David Wood, journalist

Military Veteran Authors are Pledging 100% Royalties to Charity on 11 November 2014 #vetsgiveback

Veteran's Day 2014 Charity Challenge: Gone, but Not Forgotten!

On Veteran's Day 2014, 50 veteran authors will pledge 100% of their print, ebook and audio book royalties to their favorite veteran's charity or a large flat-rate donation for the day. In most cases, these are organizations that assisted the authors personally and they are trying their best to give back.

Veterans from each service branch and every conflict period, from Vietnam to even one author deployed to Afghanistan at this moment, are pledging. This diverse collection of works includes New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers and covers most genres. From romance to action-adventure and everything in between, there's something for every taste here!

The ultimate goal of this event is to raise at least $10,000 for the 15+ veterans charities they're supporting. If you aren't interested in any of the books available, they have a page set up ranking the money raised for each charity and spotlighting bonus donations. Whether you contribute to the best performing or the least performing, either way your donation will be put to good use!Read more...

http://rappeters.wordpress.com/veteran-authors-pledging-100-royalties-to-charity-on-veterans-day-2014/

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Justice for Military Sexual Trauma Victims: Pass the Military Justice Improvement Act S.967 #MJIA

Of the 26,000 sexual assaults in 2012, only 3,374 were reported and only 302 were brought to trial. I am a retired U.S. Navy Veteran and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivor. And like many other victims in the military, I was harassed, and humiliated by my Chain of Command after reporting my abuse. But a bipartisan bill before the U.S. Senate right now can completely change how sexual assaults in the military are handled - the Military Justice Improvement Act.

As it stands now, any U.S. Military personnel, male or female, who are sexually assaulted or harassed are at the mercy of their own Commanding Officers who have full jurisdiction and discretion in prosecuting these cases. In many of the cases the perpetrator is not prosecuted while the victim is treated as the criminal, ostracized and harassed by their own command and often their military service stands in jeopardy. This is why so many assaults go unreported.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Is The Pentagon’s New Survey On Sexual Assault Too Graphic?

Recruits from Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, practice rear hand punches at the battalion’s physical training field July 21.

In 2012, the results of the defense department’s survey on gender relations in the military caused a national firestorm. The data indicated that over 26,000 service members experienced “some form of unwanted sexual contact” in the year prior, with 6.1% of women and 1.2% of men reporting incidents.

But for many, the questions in the survey detailing the specifics behind the assaults were lacking. The choices given for responders only covered attempted rape, completed rape, and unwanted sexual touching; neglecting a wide range of possible criminal acts and leaving little room for gray area

Read more...
https://taskandpurpose.com/pentagons-new-survey-sexual-assault-graphic/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=pentagons-new-survey-sexual-assault-graphic

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Pregnant women with PTSD more likely to give birth prematurely, study finds

Pregnant women with a recent diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder were 35 percent more likely to deliver a premature baby than were other pregnant women, a study of more than 16,000 births found.

A study of female veterans showed that pregnant women with post-traumatic stress disorder were at an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.

Pregnant women with post-traumatic stress disorder are at increased risk of giving birth prematurely, a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has found.

The study, which examined more than 16,000 births to female veterans, is the largest ever to evaluate connections between PTSD and preterm birth.

Another way the Army can deny justice to victims of sexual assault

The Pentagon estimated that 26,000 service members were sexually assaulted in 2012. But often, the sexual assault is just the beginning of the ordeal. Soldiers and advocates say many victims face retribution, unfair discharges and questionable psychological diagnoses. And now, a Fusion investigation has found that the one place service members can go to overturn these discharges often fails them.

The Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) is the only place within the Army with the power to change anything on a service member’s record. The Board can change a veteran’s discharge, including granting a medical discharge for service-connected disabilities, like PTSD caused by sexual assault. But we found that hardly ever happens.

All of My Friends are Dying

A veteran commits suicide every 65 minutes in the USA, with over 30% of veterans having considered suicide. “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” ― Plato

Today, for the second time in less than a month, a veteran in my circle of activist-friends has committed suicide. His name was Ethan. Last month, my friend Jacob, another anti-war veteran, took his life in rural Arkansas. Earlier this year, I lost two members of the platoon I served in; they died of cancer; neither of them smoked or drank. In fact, both Stephen and Sinbad were some of the most straitlaced veterans in our platoon. In the previous three years, two other anti-war veterans died prematurely—Anthony from a drug overdose and Joshua of cancer. As the years roll along, I'm beginning to better understand Plato's statement on war. I've now lost more friends since returning home than I did in the combat-zone. The first time I read Plato's famous quote, I was thinking about personal struggles, how to remember, or forget, the war, and how to move forward. I didn't expect my friends to keep dying. But they are vanishing at an astounding pace.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Fight continues for women veterans

Monday, November 3, 2014

Coenzyme Q10 Helps Veterans Battle Gulf War Illness Symptoms

Stigma: Breaking the cycle of mental health perception

Labels are for jars, not people.”
That’s what peer support specialist Cathy Karwatski repeats to herself and to the men and women in her support group.

At Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, she works daily with adults diagnosed with mental health disorders, helping them develop goals and objectives.

“You see so much negative with mental health issues and we just want to bring the positive,” she said. “So many people who don’t get to apply themselves are so creative, so intelligent.”

Read more..
http://www.heraldstandard.com/new_today/stigma-breaking-the-cycle-of-mental-health-perception/article_cebe4adf-43e9-579f-ab8f-269eeb11ff03.html

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www.battlingthestormwithin.com

PTSD survivor says: 'Everyone wants to help a soldier. No one wants to help a civilian'

Calls for help as thousands of North East soldiers face mental anguish on their return home and to Civvy Street

A Black Hawk over Kabul

Thousands of North soldiers who have spent years fighting for their country are facing loneliness and mental health agony on their return home.

And with thousands more on their way back from Afghanistan the problem is only going to get worse, military charities warned today.

Addictions, family break-downs, homelessness and lack of support are just a few of the problems leading to the spiralling rates of mental trauma among the North’s 375,000 veterans.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

AP EXCLUSIVE: Military sex survey draws complaints

WASHINGTON (AP) - Shocked and offended by explicit questions, some U.S. servicemen and women are complaining about a new sexual-assault survey that hundreds of thousands have been asked to complete.

The survey is conducted every two years. But this year's version, developed by the Rand Corp., is unusually detailed, including graphically personal questions on sexual acts.

(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File). FILE - In this May 1, 2014 file photo, Nate Galbreath, Senior Executive Adviser for the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), leaves a news conference at the Pentagon.