Samantha Torrence - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has garnered more attention in recent months with the increase of sensationalized media coverage of ill Veterans. Even with all of the attention, caretakers of veterans with PTSD still find few resources to help them in their struggle to care for their loved one.The newly founded charity Military with PTSD 501(c)(3) has already founded online support groups and its own social media website just for veterans and their families. Now the group is promoting a new hotline called "Healing Homeland Heroes" that is set up for caretakers to find support from other caretakers.
Shawn Gourley who founded Military with PTSD describes the new hotline in an interview.
Samantha: Who will this hotline be for and why?
Shawn: This hotline is for caregivers of Veterans/Military With PTSD the caregivers many times feel isolated and like they are the only ones going through this. They don't really have anyone to talk to because no one understands. Caregivers are not really prepared for the effects of ptsd when the soldier returns home. Then there are not alot of resources available for caregivers.
Samantha: Who will be working this hotline?
Shawn: It is a peer to peer line, other caregivers who have "been there, done that" and completely understand what it is like to live with someone with PTSD.
Samantha: Caretakers are put in some pretty extreme positions from time to time, will volunteers be able to make calls to local emergency departments?
Shawn: Yes we will be able to call law enforcement if the need arises. All of our caregiver volunteers will be certified suicide gatekeepers.
Samantha: Aside from providing caregivers with a much needed person to listen to them, what other tools will the hotline provide?
Shawn: We will be able to refer them to more resources for help and education. We will be able to educate them on PTSD and give them communication skills to help them speak with thier veteran.
Healing Homeland Heroes is a much needed hotline and Shawn Gourley has set up a site on Gofundme.com for people to donate to the cause to get the program up and running visit the website and find out more.
http://www.gofundme.com/PTSDSpouseSupport