Good To Talk
Posted: Sat 22 Jun, 2002 11:00 pm
Members,
A few weeks ago there was a post on the PTSD thread (when it was still a thread) from Greyman. By several of us posting sympathetic encouragement and pm's a gradual change occurred in his post, from extreme depression to gentle optimism. He and his wife made an appointment to see his gp who immediately diagnosed PTSD. He is now waiting to see Combat Stress and the process has started for him as he has made his "first step".
While the postings were going on and the change in Greyman was starting to be noticeable, I had an idea.
If this guy lived close enough to me, then I would be willing to meet him. Then I thought of other members who would also be willing to meet and the idea evolved to include something along the lines of "when Harry met Sally" on Misc Diss.
I began to talk to Shoulder Holster, Mutley and Yorkie who all thought it would be a good thing, if it could be made to work. However the question remained, would untrained people do more harm than good? I didn't think so, but to be certain I turned to Combat Stress for advice and assistance.
Step forward Mr. Tony Ledford, Clinical Manager, Combat Stress once again.
He listened to my case, the arguments for and against, moral and legal issues etc. Right from the start of the conversation he was very much in favour, and time and time again he emphasised that talking to someone is the first step.
My next call was to the site admin to tell them my plan and to discuss ways of making this work.
Spoke to Jay a couple of times and he has sorted out a "user group". This will work on 3 levels.
Level 1. A general level for all to see and post on.
Level 2. A level for requests to talk and for potential "listeners" to ask to join the user group. When authorised, they will have the word "LISTENER" below their name on everything they post on all boards.
Why it's necessary to have this "vetting" when you can post anywhere you want to, I will get to later.
Level 3. A discussion area for "Listeners" only. For mutual support and advice.
This will not replace the main PTSD thread but provides the opportunity for sufferers to have a face-to-face meeting or a telephone conversation. The reasons for "listeners" to be authorised are firstly so that any one considering making contact knows that they aren’t going to end up talking to Deaf Ant. Voyeurs and dick heads need to be filtered out.
If you ask me what is a "listener" it is easier to say what we aren't. We are not the Samaritans in a Green Lid, not Social Workers and most definitely not Counsellors. We are men who's experience, ages and backgrounds all have one common denominator:-
The Green Beret.
How my idea will develop, we can't say, but the PTSD thread itself has over 11 pages and 3000+ visits to date. So there is a huge interest in the subject. Yorkie went to 45's twentieth Falklands reunion and had guy's coming up to him all weekend asking about treatment. What I am hoping to achieve is an opportunity for discreet meetings if someone doesn't feel able to post. Particularly if still serving.
If you feel that you would be prepared to meet guys suffering with PTSD, to give them a friendly "ear" so they can talk, then contact the user group.
If you are a victim and have seen the responses on the main thread and would like a chance to talk to another bootneck then contact the user group.
I would like to thank Tony Letford for his advice and encouragement.;
Jay for listening and setting up the user group.
Mutley and Yorkie for listening to my ideas .
Most of all Shoulder Holster who has been my "sounding board" for the last couple of weeks. Thanks, mate.
All of the above have chipped in with their ideas and support.
It is over to you now guys. Whether you think it is a good idea or not, your views please.
as ever, I remain
yours, Aye
Harry Hackedoff
A few weeks ago there was a post on the PTSD thread (when it was still a thread) from Greyman. By several of us posting sympathetic encouragement and pm's a gradual change occurred in his post, from extreme depression to gentle optimism. He and his wife made an appointment to see his gp who immediately diagnosed PTSD. He is now waiting to see Combat Stress and the process has started for him as he has made his "first step".
While the postings were going on and the change in Greyman was starting to be noticeable, I had an idea.
If this guy lived close enough to me, then I would be willing to meet him. Then I thought of other members who would also be willing to meet and the idea evolved to include something along the lines of "when Harry met Sally" on Misc Diss.
I began to talk to Shoulder Holster, Mutley and Yorkie who all thought it would be a good thing, if it could be made to work. However the question remained, would untrained people do more harm than good? I didn't think so, but to be certain I turned to Combat Stress for advice and assistance.
Step forward Mr. Tony Ledford, Clinical Manager, Combat Stress once again.
He listened to my case, the arguments for and against, moral and legal issues etc. Right from the start of the conversation he was very much in favour, and time and time again he emphasised that talking to someone is the first step.
My next call was to the site admin to tell them my plan and to discuss ways of making this work.
Spoke to Jay a couple of times and he has sorted out a "user group". This will work on 3 levels.
Level 1. A general level for all to see and post on.
Level 2. A level for requests to talk and for potential "listeners" to ask to join the user group. When authorised, they will have the word "LISTENER" below their name on everything they post on all boards.
Why it's necessary to have this "vetting" when you can post anywhere you want to, I will get to later.
Level 3. A discussion area for "Listeners" only. For mutual support and advice.
This will not replace the main PTSD thread but provides the opportunity for sufferers to have a face-to-face meeting or a telephone conversation. The reasons for "listeners" to be authorised are firstly so that any one considering making contact knows that they aren’t going to end up talking to Deaf Ant. Voyeurs and dick heads need to be filtered out.
If you ask me what is a "listener" it is easier to say what we aren't. We are not the Samaritans in a Green Lid, not Social Workers and most definitely not Counsellors. We are men who's experience, ages and backgrounds all have one common denominator:-
The Green Beret.
How my idea will develop, we can't say, but the PTSD thread itself has over 11 pages and 3000+ visits to date. So there is a huge interest in the subject. Yorkie went to 45's twentieth Falklands reunion and had guy's coming up to him all weekend asking about treatment. What I am hoping to achieve is an opportunity for discreet meetings if someone doesn't feel able to post. Particularly if still serving.
If you feel that you would be prepared to meet guys suffering with PTSD, to give them a friendly "ear" so they can talk, then contact the user group.
If you are a victim and have seen the responses on the main thread and would like a chance to talk to another bootneck then contact the user group.
I would like to thank Tony Letford for his advice and encouragement.;
Jay for listening and setting up the user group.
Mutley and Yorkie for listening to my ideas .
Most of all Shoulder Holster who has been my "sounding board" for the last couple of weeks. Thanks, mate.
All of the above have chipped in with their ideas and support.
It is over to you now guys. Whether you think it is a good idea or not, your views please.
as ever, I remain
yours, Aye
Harry Hackedoff
