A problem like post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans isn't going to vanish overnight. PTSD has been a scourge of military personnel since before it received its official name, and it's worth expending virtually any amount of resources to push back against it. Only a concerted effort from dedicated individuals and organizations both within and outside of the government can finally turn the tide on the mental health problems that are threatening the armed forces community.
First dedicated facility
It's now well known that PTSD, substance dependence and other mental afflictions are common dangers for those in dangerous and stressful occupations, including military and first responder roles. To combat these issues, a new facility called Warriors Heart has opened its doors in Bandera, Texas. Local news station KENS 5 recently highlighted the fact that the 543-acre treatment complex is the first of its kind to cater solely to the military and first responder communities.
"Founders have set up a private space where patients can bond and begin to overcome their afflictions."
The founders of the new facility told KENS 5 that they are interested in setting up a private space where patients can bond and begin to overcome their afflictions, removed from the pressure that comes with explaining to the world at large what they are going through. The news provider noted that programs at Warriors Heart are comprehensive, each lasting a minimum of 28 days.
"We do animal assisted therapy with dogs, we have a metal shop where the guys can go and pound metal. They make tomahawks through a foundation called Mission 22 or Elder Heart. They do a lot of intensive group work, individual therapy," Warriors Heart co-founder Lisa Lannon said.
Making sure these treatments are available to patients with limited means is an important step. KENS 5 explained that Warriors Heart has applied for Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation. That isn't the founders' only plan to give financial aid to prospective enrollees. There is currently a scholarship program, as well as a nonprofit that accepts donations. The organization is already serving patients but has plans for a grand opening ceremony in October. It also operates a crisis hotline that is active.
Medicinal trials underway
While organizations provide aid through treatment and therapy, drugmakers are also making progress on medicines that can have a real effect on PTSD symptoms. WNDU noted that TNX-102 SL is the latest drug to offer hope of relief. Marine veteran Mark Bratton explained that his time in the trial has seen his state of mind improve. His self-image has recovered from the depths it reached when his PTSD symptoms were at their worst.
According to WNDU, the process to get the new medicine on the market will take approximately three years. More trials are planned for next year, and researchers have high hopes they will prove as effective as the previous round. In the fight to help veterans survive their PTSD symptoms, doctors need a wide variety of options. Between medicines and therapies, they are gaining more potentially useful techniques every day. Tireless efforts to fight this health crisis are paying off.