Coming right after the suicide of Robin Williams, new comments on depression and suicide have surfaced from Gene Simmons in an article by Rolling Stone. Nikki Sixx responded to the comments by completely disagreeing with Simmons…and we back him up in this case. There are options for people suffering from depression and pushing someone to do something that will end their life is not how we should be supporting those in need:
Gene Simmons’ Depression and Suicide Comments Anger Nikki Sixx
In an interview with Songfacts.com, Simmons essentially dismissed depression as a mental disorder. “For a putz 20-year-old kid to say, ‘I’m depressed. I live in Seattle.’ Fuck you, then kill yourself. I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I’m the guy who says ‘Jump’ when there’s a guy on top of a building who says, ‘That’s it, I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to jump.’ Are you kidding? Why are you announcing it? Shut the fuck up, have some dignity and jump! You’ve got the crowd,” Simmons said.
Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx chastised Simmons on his Sixx Sense radio show. “It’s pretty moronic because [Simmons] thinks everybody listens to him, that he is the God of Thunder. He will tell you he is the greatest man on earth, and to be honest with you, I like Gene. But in this situation, I don’t like Gene. I don’t like Gene’s words,” Sixx said. “There is a 20-year-old kid out there who is a Kiss fan and reads this and goes, ‘You know what? He’s right. I should just kill myself.’”
The VA has been in the news a lot lately and most of the reports have not placed them in a good light. There have been stories of backlogs, crazy wait times and cries of “understaffed” and “underfunded”. It’s this simple article that really set me off though:
8 years for psych eval a ‘harmless error,’ VA says
With all of the scrutiny going on it’s time for someone to take responsibility. These stories are not “harmless errors”. Your job is to help our veterans; your job is to help those suffering from mental and physical problems. When did it become fine to send Americans to war and not care for them when they return home? When did it become fine to let people wait for 8 years?
Veterans aren’t waiting 8 years for a vacation or a car. There are serious consequences to neglecting our veterans: lives are on the line.
This is an encouraging read for anyone suffering from PTSD. Researchers in Brisbane have began working on finding the root cause of PTSD, in hopes of better diagnosis & potentially prevention in the future. What is most encouraging is the fact that this is being spearheaded by a team of Volunteers. – PTSD United Staff
World-first PTSD research starts in Brisbane
Some of Australia’s leading scientists, researchers and doctors have started world-first clinical research in Brisbane to unlock the code behind post-traumatic stress disorder – the debilitating and potentially fatal mental illness that impacts around one million Australians, including many war veterans.
Read the rest of the story.
Music is the one media that transcends time, I can hear a song today from my youth and it will take me right back. Music also can help heal, it generates memories of happier times. In dealing with PTSD symptoms, music can undoubtedly play a key role, and this program in Virginia is definitely tapping into the power of music to heal. – PTSD United Staff
Program uses guitar lessons to treat vets for PTSD
HAMPTON – “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.”
Playwright William Congreve coined that sentiment in 1697. Three centuries later, Dan Mathes is a poster boy for it.
Mathes, 54, came to the Hampton VA Medical Center in August carrying a lot of baggage from his 21 years in the Army. On a recent Friday afternoon, all of that was relegated to a back shelf of his mind as he caressed a shiny, new Yamaha acoustic guitar.
As PTSD awareness continues to grow, its encouraging to see the new & creative ways people are channeling their emotions. There are so many positive outlets available for thos of us who suffer from PTSD, let’s hope that this trend continues – PTSD United Staff
Yoga instruction aims to help those with PTSD
- By Kelsey Ryan
A local yoga studio is hosting a workshop for yoga instructors and social workers to learn how yoga can help those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“This program is very empowering,” said Jon Greuel, a retired Air Force major who lives in Dallas who will teach the workshop this weekend at Siva Yoga Studio, 416 S. Commerce, Suite 104.
For many of us who live with PTSD, detection & treatment are key points we all would like to see addressed. Any steps towards research are key to helping all of us, and those who may find themselves seeking help in the future. News like this is really encouraging to read. – PTSD United Staff
VA Gets $45 Million For PTSD
White River Junction To Spearhead Research
White River Junction — In the 1970s and 80s, Larry Greene struggled through many sleepless nights.
“It’s hard to get a good night’s sleep,” said Greene, 64, of West Lebanon. “You’ve got all of these, I like to call them ‘demons.’ ”
The “demons” that were keeping Greene awake at night were a product of the post-traumatic stress disorder he developed after seeing heavy combat during the Vietnam War. His disorder affected many aspects of the Army veteran’s life. He had trouble holding down a job. He was short-tempered. Sometimes, he’d walk into a supermarket and become so overwhelmed with anxiety that he’d leave the groceries at the checkout counter.
Read the full story here.
PTSD knows no barriers, it is not confined to Veterans, although many believe otherwise. Anyone can suffer from PTSD, symptoms are often similar to those faced by combat Veterans. – PTSD United Staff
Everyday people can experience PTSD nightmare
Karin Thompson, PhD, is director of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinic Program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. The VA has had programs to treat veterans suffering from PTSD since 1988, a disorder recognized in the early 1980s. But PTSD is not confined to the battlefield.
We here at PTSD United are grateful all of our Veterans, past & present, for their service to our Country in both in times of peace and in times of War. This is an interesting perspective on awarding those veterans suffering with PTSD with the distinguished Purple Heart award – PTSD United Staff
How The Purple Heart Can Help Heal Veterans with PTSD
Criteria for the Purple Heart medal seems straightforward: “any action against an enemy of the United States” in which a service member is “wounded or killed” merits the award. But in practice granting of the award is a contentious issue among combat veterans and a charged field for both the wounded and those who judge the wounds.
Read the rest of the article here.
The beauty of new media is the creativity it spawns. Crowdfunding was a non-existent word a few years ago, and now it’s a powerful engine helping people fulfill their dreams. To see that creativity shed light on PTSD is inspiring to say the least! – PTSD United Staff
Actors Raising Awareness of PTSD Through Kickstarter Movie
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — At least 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD, but only half seek treatment.
Three Hollywood actors, Steven Grayhm, Matt Dallas, and Charlie Bewley, are trying to make a movie to raise awareness of the issue and they’re seeking public support.
Read the full story here.
Staff Sgt. Ty Carter will be receiving the Nations highest Military honor, his heroism in combat is truly remarkable. This hero is now helping lift the stigma by talking about his own struggles with PTSD, in hopes that others will not feel the need to keep suffering in silence. – PTSD United Staff
A JBLM hero, a Medal of Honor and PTSD
If a hero can admit his frailty, why not others?
The hero in question is Staff Sgt. Ty Carter, a Yelm man assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Last week, the White House announced that he would become the fifth living veteran of the post-9/11 era to receive the Medal of Honor.
Read the rest of the story here.
