Montana's National Guard Holds Public Meetings on PTSD

Recently we wondered what National Guards in the various states with high suicide rates for males were doing, or not doing, about mental health screening for returning or deployed troops.  We found some (slightly) positive news: that the National Guard in Montana, which as a state has the highest rate of suicide for males per capita in the nation -- something we blogged about here -- perhaps in part because of their low population density, but nevertheless -- was doing something about it.  Throughout the month of May, they held hour-long meetings in the community to talk about PTSD, and show a half-hour video they'd made about its signs and symptoms.  The only problem is, of course, that the meetings were only an hour long -- and with a half-hour video as part of that, probably left slim time or attention for questions and answers and feedback.  Still and all, some time is better than no time devoted to this important issue, so we commend the Montana National Guard for trying.

The hour-long meetings were held the week of May 19th. Four separate teams of soldiers and airmen will be conducting the meetings, according to Col. Jeff Ireland, the director of personnel and manpower for the Montana National Guard. “We want to take this information to the people of Montana so that they understand what PTSD is and what they can do to help their friends, neighbors or relatives that may be affected by PTSD,” he explained.

“The Montana National Guard is dedicated to ensuring that all Montana’s Soldiers and Airmen are taken care of before, during and after a deployment in support of our state and nation. Our efforts are to reach out to the people of this state and get their help,” Ireland said.

The meetings schedule will include the viewing of a 30-minute video produced by the Montana National Guard about PTSD and its impact on service members and their families. In addition, a question and answer period will be held to get ideas and feedback from attendees.

The public was encouraged and invited to attend the meetings. For more information, contact Capt. Jeremy Hedges at (406) 324-3986 or visit the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” campaign on the Montana National Guard's website, linked here.