THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND ON VETERANS DAY, WE HONOR THEM, BUT ARE WE DOING ENOUGH TO SUPPORT VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH?

WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VETERANS LIVING IN HAWAII AND MANY ACTIVE‑DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS STATIONED HERE, WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES ARE THEY FACING AND WHAT BARRIERS ARE PREVENTING SOME PEOPLE FROM GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED?

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I’M LAUREN DAY.

IT’S BEEN A POPULAR PLOT FOR HOLLYWOOD – VETERANS AND THEIR STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

FROM TAXI DRIVER TO AMERICAN SNIPER, FILMS HAVE OFTEN FICTIONALIZED WHAT IS A REAL‑LIFE CHALLENGE FOR MANY VETERANS.

TONIGHT WE’LL BE DISCUSSING THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO VETERANS IN HAWAII AND WHAT GAPS STILL NEED TO BE FILLED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

DENISE LINK IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE HILO VET CENTER.

SHE IS A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SPECIALIZING IN TRAUMA‑FOCUSED THERAPIES, SPECIFICALLY COMBAT‑RELATED AND SEXUAL TRAUMAS.

SHE PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FOR 8 YEARS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND FAMILY ADVOCACY.

JASON SEAL IS WITH VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OR VFW.

IT’S A NON‑PROFIT THAT ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF ALL VETERANS, ENSURING THEY ARE RESPECTED AND RECEIVE THEIR EARNED ENTITLEMENTS – INCLUDING HIGH‑QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

DR. KEN DELANO IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE VA PACIFIC ISLANDS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM’S PTSD RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM.

HE SERVED AS AN ACTIVE‑DUTY ARMY PSYCHOLOGIST FOR 7 YEARS.

IN 2014, HE MOVED TO HAWAII AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS CLINICAL DIRECTOR AT KAHI MOHALA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US IN STUDIO.

START WITH YOU.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IS PTSD AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FROM VETERAN TO VETERAN.

WE PROBABLY THINK OF WHAT HOLLYWOOD HAS DEPICTED.

>> SURE.

SO PTSD IS ACRONYM STANDS FOR POST‑TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

AND IT STARTS WITH SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS.

SO THAT CAN BE CAR ACCIDENT, IF YOU'RE A CIVILIAN OR CHILDHOOD ABUSE.

FOR CHILDREN.

FOR VETERANS, OFTEN COMBAT RELATED.

TRAUMA.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE TREATED THE MOST OF.

IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

BUT IT CAN ALSO BE MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

THERE ARE A LOT OF TRAUMAS THAT OCCUR IN THE MILITARY WORLD.

DON'T HAVE ANYTHING DO WITH DIRECT COMBAT.

FIRST PART OF POST‑TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IS THE POST TRAUMA.

SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPEN.

>> LIFE THREATENING, LIMB THREATENING, THAT PUTS SOMEONE IN A POSITION WHERE THEY BELIEVE THEIR LIFE IS IN JEOPARDY.

OR LIFE OF SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM.

SO THEN THERE ARE SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA THAT GO ALONG WITH WHAT IS PTSD.

SO ONE CRITERIA IS INTRUSIVE EXPERIENCES, INTRUSIVE MEMORIES THOUGHTS, DREAMS, NIGHTMARES.

BEING VERY UPSET WHEN TRIGGERED BY SOMETHING THAT REMINDS YOU OF THAT TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.

SECOND, DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA.

IS AVOIDANCE.

PREFERRING TO AVOID BEING AROUND ANYTHING THAT MIGHT REMIND YOU OF THE TRAUMA AND THAT WOULD TRIGGER THOSE TRAUMA MEMORIES AND BE VERY UPSETTING.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE AVOIDING CERTAIN PEOPLE, PLACES, SITUATIONS, AVOID TOPICS.

THEY AVOID TALKING ABOUT THEIR TRAUMA.

THEY AVOID THEIR FEELINGS.

BECAUSE EMOTIONS THEMSELVES START TO BECOME FEARED.

THEN THERE ARE THE NEGATIVE COGNITIONS AND MOOD THAT GO WITH PTSD.

AND THIS IS ESSENTIALLY CONCERN THAT I AM DAMAGED, THAT I'M BROKEN, THAT THERE'S SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH ME.

THAT I MAY NEVER HEAL AND RECOVER.

>> I MAY NEVER BE A FULL HUMAN BEING AGAIN.

IT'S THE SADNESS AT HAVING EXPERIENCED WHAT I EXPERIENCED MAYBE FEELINGS OF GUILT, ABOUT SURVIVOR'S GUILT.

OR SHAME FOR WHAT I DID.

OR WHAT I DIDN'T DO.

OR WHAT I SAW OTHER PEOPLE IN MY UNIT DO.

AND THEN THERE ARE THE AROUSAL SYMPTOMS.

THESE ARE THE ONCE THAT MOST OF US ARE AWARE OF.

AND MIGHT BE BEST DEPICTED IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE.

THIS IS THE HYPERVIGILANCE, GUARDEDNESS, INABILITY TO SLEEP, INABILITY TO CONCENTRATE AND FOCUS THE EXAGGERATED STARTLE RESPONSE.

ESSENTIALLY A CHRONIC FIGHT OR FLIGHT REACTION TO THE WORLD.

SO IT'S PERSON WITH PTSD BEGINS TO ASSUME THAT EVERYTHING IS EITHER A TRAUMA OR A POTENTIAL TRAUMA ABOUT TO OCCUR.

AND THEY RESPOND AND REACT TO THE WORLD FROM THERE.

>>Lauren: I'M SURE YOU ALSO WORK WITH VETERANS STRUGGLING WITH PTSD.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE HILO VET CENTER DOES.

>> AT THE VET CENTER ALSO UNDER VHA OR VETERAN HEALTH AFFAIRS BELIEVE.

SO WHAT WE DO IS FOCUS MORE ON READJUSTMENT COUNSELING.

WE WORK WITH VERY SPECIFIC GROUP OF VETERANS, SO FOR OUR ELIGIBILITY, WE WORK WITH VETERANS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO A COMBAT ZONE.

WORK WITH VETERANS WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE EVER BEEN REPORTED.

I COULD BE OR COUNSELOR COULD BE THE FIRST PERSON THEY DISCLOSE THAT INFORMATION TO.

WE WORK WITH VETERANS MAY BE WORK IN THE MEDICAL WHILE THEY WERE THE MILITARY.

EXPAND ELIGIBILITY TO WORK WITH VETERANS USING THEIR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS.

>> MAYBE USING GI BILL, VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.

BUT WE REALLY FOCUS ON READJUSTMENT COUNSELING.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS FOCUSING ON NOW THAT YOU ARE OUT OF THE MILITARY, HOW CAN WE HELP SUPPORT YOU LEARN, TO REACCLIMATE TO BEING A CIVILIAN AGAIN.

CIVILIAN LIFE.

VERY DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE THAN WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MILITARY.

THIS CAN BE QUITE CHALLENGING TO GET USED TO BEING A CIVILIAN AGAIN.

AND MAYBE GOING BACK INTO THE CIVILIAN WORKFORCE.

THAT'S AWAY DO AT THE VET CENTER.

REALLY HELP VETERANS GET BACK INTO THE GROOVE OF CIVILIAN LIFE.

>>Lauren: YOU WORK FIRSTHAND I'M SURE ALSO HAVE I FRIENDS AS WELL WHO ARE VETERANS.

DO YOU SEE IT OFTEN WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW THEY NEED THE HELP OR THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.

>> YES.

I DO.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT.

YES, SO IF I CAN SPEAK TO THAT A LOT OF VETERANS DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE, GETTING OUT OF THE SERVICE.

WHETHER IT BE THE VET CENTER OR VA ITSELF.

WHAT WE DO IN THE VFW, AS THE NATION LARGEST COMBAT ORGANIZATION, WHAT WE TRY DO IS TO HELP VETERANS TO NOT ONLY GET THEIR OWNED BENEFITS POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION COMES TO THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

WHETHER IT BE WITH THE VET CENTER OR VA ITSELF, OTHER FORCED MULTIPLIERS LIKE TO CALL IT, WOULD BE CATHOLIC CHARITIES, ADDITIONALLY COHEN VETERANS NETWORK, ALSO OUT THERE.

AND LIKE TO REFER ALL OF THESE FOLKS COMBAT MULTIPLIERS.

HELPING VETERANS ADDRESS EITHER PTSD OR ANY SORT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUE.

>>Lauren: WHY DO YOU THINK NOT ENOUGH VETERANS KNOW ABOUT THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> SOMETIMES WHEN VETERANS LEAVE THE SERVICE.

THEY HAVE MUCH ON THEIR MIND.

WHAT THEY'RE GOING DO AFTER THE SERVICE.

MIGHT BE FAMILY ISSUES.

THE MILITARY TRIES TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN THROUGH TRANSITIONING SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE GETTING OUT, WHETHER THEY'RE RETIRING OR JUST DOING THEIR TIME AND GETTING OUT.

SOMETIMES JUST VETERANS SOMETIMES OR SERVICE MEMBERS JUST HAVE A LOT ON THEIR MIND.

NOT THINKING ABOUT THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

UNFORTUNATELY, START THINKING ABOUT IT, TOO LATE.

WHEN IT'S STARTING TO GET DIFFICULT.

AND YEAH, THAT'S PROBABLY IN MY ESTIMATION, WHY.

>>Lauren: I'M SURE YOU SEE THAT A LOT.

WHAT BARRIERS ARE KEEPING OUR VETERANS FROM SEEKING OUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

>> >> KIND OF VARIED.

FOR SOME FOLKS THAT I WORK WITH, FEAR OF TALKING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES THAT THEY'VE HAD.

JUST KIND OF THAT AVOIDANCE OF RETALKING ABOUT COMBAT OR IF IT WAS A SEXUAL TRAUMA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> SOMETIMES THEY ARE THEIR BARRIER OUT OF THE FEAR OF HAVING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT STUFF.

SOMETIMES IT'S JUST THEY DON'T KNOW.

DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.

SO WHETHER WE DO HAVE FOLKS COME IN VETERANS COME IN, AT LEAST BECAUSE I'M IN BIG ISLAND, THERE ARE OUT OF OUTER ISLANDS RESOURCES ARE LIMITED.

COME TO THE VET CENTER, IF WE CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, GET YOU TO THE PLACE WHERE CAN YOU GET IT FIGURED OUT.

OAHU IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THE SENSE OF THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

SOMETIMES THE BARRIER IS FINANCE.

IF THAT'S BEEN DIFFICULT, AND MOVE TO A RURAL AREA AND DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET TO AND FROM PLACES, IF THEY ARE CONNECTED WITH THE VA, THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO GET ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, BUT SOMETIMES I THINK IT'S REALLY EITHER THEY'RE THE BARRIER OR JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

>> CAN I ADD TO THAT.

>>Lauren: PLEASE.

>> I WOULD LIKE DO I TOTALLY AGREE.

I THINK THERE'S A STIGMA AROUND RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

AND I THINK THAT'S EMBEDDED IN THE MILITARY CULTURE.

IT'S STILL NOT COMFORTABLE TO SPEAK UP ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM.

COULD IMPACT YOUR CAREER.

SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPARTMENTALIZED THAT PART OF THEIR LIFE AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

AND THEY DON'T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW.

AND THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE AT WORK TO KNOW DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW.

NOT JUST THE MILITARY THAT IS STIGMATIZED MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

WHOLE SOCIETY DOES.

AND I THINK THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO TALK TO A THERAPIST AND THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT BETTER OR DIFFERENT, IS REALLY NOT CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD TO BE, HELPFUL AND TRUE.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S SORT OF LIKE WHY WOULD I DO THAT, WHAT GOOD IS THAT GOING TO DO?

AND OUR SOCIETY NOT REALLY EARNED THAT EMPOWERMENT COMES FROM BEING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR EMOTIONS, FROM DOING SOME SOUL SEARCHING FOR YOURSELF, AND LEARNING ABOUT YOURSELF.

AND MAKING THOSE CHANGES WITHIN THAT THAT IS WHERE REAL POWER COMES FROM.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS WELL UNDERSTOOD.

AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF VETERANS, IDEA THAT GOING TO MENTAL HEALTH IS GOING TO HELP JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO THEM.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FIND THAT THERE ARE VETERANS WOULD MAY BE YEARS IF NOT DECADES DOWN THE ROAD, DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE STRUGGLING OR FACING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THAT SOMETIMES STAYING VERY BUSY AND KEEPING THAT OFF THE RADAR ACTUALLY WORKS.

I HAVE SEEN MANY SUCCESSFUL FIRST SERGEANTS KERNELS DO VERY WELL HAVING PTSD WHOLE TIME.

TOLD BY THEIR FAMILY THAT THERE'S SOMETHING UP.

WE REALLY LIKE YOU TO LOOK AT THIS.

SOMETHING IMPORTANT HAPPENING.

WITH YOU AS A HUSBAND, AS A FATHER.

BUT AS LONG AS THEY'RE STILL WORKING FOR THEIR CAREER, THEY MIGHT HANG ON.

BUT AS THEIR CAREER WINDS DOWN, AND NOT SO BUSY AND TAKING OFF THEIR SUPERMAN'S SUIT AND PUTTING ON CIVILIAN ATTIRE AND MAKING THAT TRANSITION, THAT IS WHEN THINGS REALLY START TO COME UP.

AND I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOWING UP FOR CARE AS THEY'RE WRAPPING UP MILITARY CAREER.

>>Lauren: QUESTION TO ALL OF YOU.

WHAT WOULD BE STEP ONE.

VETERAN WATCHING THIS AND YOU THINK THAT MAYBE I'M STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING, OR MAYBE YOUR SPOUSE OR FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND, WHAT WOULD BE STEP ONE.

WHO DO YOU CALL, WHERE DO YOU GO IF YOU THINK YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?

>> OVER ON OUTER ISLANDS, I USUALLY ADVISE THAT THEY CAN ALWAYS WALK INTO THE VET CENTER.

BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY PHYSICALLY THERE THAT CAN YOU TALK TO.

SOMETIMES IT'S TO BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO GOING ON, SOMETIMES IT CAN BE A BIT EASIER TO HAVE SOMEONE SIT WITH YOU AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH THAT.

WE ALSO HIGHLY LOVE OUR VSO'S.

BECAUSE OUR VSO'S ARE AMAZING AND REALLY CAN DIRECT THEM IN THE BENEFITS SIDE OR HOW TO ADVOCATE WHERE WE MAY NOT BE AS KNOWLEDGEABLE.

THIS COULD BE A BIASED THING.

I DO SAY IF YOU CAN GO INTO A VET'S CENTER GOOD STARTING PLACE.

IF WE CAN'T, WE USUALLY WILL KNOW WHERE TO DIRECT YOU.

>>Lauren: COULD YOU ALSO WALK INTO VFW.

>> WOULD YOU ALSO GUIDE THEM AS WELL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE ACRONYM OF VSO, VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER.

FOLKS OUT THERE WHO ARE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ON ACRONYMS.

VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER, WHETHER IT BE WITH THE VFW OR DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS, NUMBER OF THE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SERVICE OFFICERS.

THEIR JOB IN LIFE IS TO HELP VETERANS GAIN COMPENSATION FROM THE VBA.

IF I MAY BACK UP JUST A SECOND, A LOT OF VETERANS NOT AWARE, VA SPLIT INTO THREE SECTION.

VETERANS HEALTH MOST PEOPLE THINK ABOUT.

VETERANS BENEFITS SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

AND THEN THERE'S THE CEMETERY SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

SERVICE OFFICER DOES IS HELP VETERAN WORK THROUGH ALL THE ISSUES WITH APPLYING FOR A BENEFIT PACKAGE TO SEE IF THEY CAN BE COMPENSATED FOR THE INJURIES THEY RECEIVE IN COMBAT.

PTSD, DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS, AND A LOT OF SKELETAL ISSUES THAT TYPE OF THING.

AND THEN WHAT WE DO THEN IS HELP THEM IN THAT REGARD AND HOPEFULLY, DOWN THE PIKE, GET A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE VBA.

AND GET THEM A FINANCIAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE.

WHICH I MIGHT SAY, IS VERY HELPFUL FOR SOMEBODY WHEN THEY KMOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMPENSATED FINANCIALLY, AT LEAST THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FINANCIAL ISSUES, PAYING FOR THINGS, AND THEY KNOW THAT THEIR NATION LOOKING AFTER THEM.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FIND THAT THERE'S A LOT OF VETERANS OUT THERE THAT AREN'T GETTING COMPENSATION THAT THEY SHOULD BE.

>> I BELIEVE THERE ARE A LOT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S ANYBODY'S FAULT PER SE.

OTHER THAN THAT FACT THAT A LOT OF VETERANS ARE JUST NOT AWARE OF THIS.

SO AWAY TRY DO IN THE VFW IS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEM.

GO OUT AND DO COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS.

EXPLAIN WHAT WE DO AS VFW TO ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS.

AND THAT' WHAT WE TRY TO DO.

ALSO WORK WITH THE TRANSITIONING FOLKS AT BASES AND STATIONS GIVE PRESENTATION AND PROVIDE THOSE YOUNG AIRMEN, SOLDIER, COAST GUARDS MAN, GETTING OUT.

THIS IS WHAT THE VA CAN PROVIDE.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE, THE VFW AND OTHER SERVICE OFFICERS CAN BE THERE TO HELP YOU.

BY THE WAY, IT'S YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR HELP.

AND WE DO IT FOR FREE.

AS LONG AS YOU'RE A VETERAN HONORABLY DISCHARGED, WE'LL HELP YOU.

>>Lauren: WONDERFUL TO HEAR THAT THOSE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ARE FREE AND RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.

I WANT TO GET TO QUESTIONS.

A LOT COMING IN.

ACTUALLY FIRST ONE IS A COMMENT.

MAYBE WANT TO EXPAND OFTEN IT.

PAULA SAYS I AM GRATEFUL WIVES OF VET CAN GET HELP AT VET CENTERS TOO.

ANYTHING WANT TO ADD ABOUT WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THINGS PTSD AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, IT IMPACTS ENTIRE FAMILY.

SO WE DEFINITELY WELCOME OUR FAMILY MEMBERS OF OUR VETERANS TO COME IN AND BE PART OF TREATMENT.

TO BE PART OF THE ADJUSTMENT, REAJUSTMENT BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

I WAS A MILITARY SPOUSE.

GOING MOVING AND PCSING TO CIVILIAN LIFE, ADJUSTMENT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TOO.

THAT'S ONE I THINK IMPORTANT PIECE IS INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS.

ALSO VHA, WE DO LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT FAMILY MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED AS LONG AS THE VETERAN SUPPORTS AND APPROVES THAT.

WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THEM COME IN.

>>Lauren: IS PERSONAL QUESTION FROM MIKE IN MAKIKI.

FOR THE VETERAN ON OUR PANEL.

IF YOU'RE WILLING TO SHARE.

MIKE IS CURIOUS TO VETERAN ON OUR PANEL, WHAT IF ANY MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES HAVE YOU BOTH FACED AFTER YOUR CAREER IN THE MILITARY?

>> I'M OKAY SAYING THAT I SERVED MOSTLY WHEN I WAS ACTIVE DUTY, SERVED MOSTLY IN MEDICAL CENTERS.

>> SO I WAS MOSTLY TREATING PEOPLE WITH COMBAT INJURIES.

I WAS ACTIVE DUTY DURING THE PERSIAN GULF WAR.

SO I WAS IN THE 98TH GENERAL HOSPITAL, CONVERTED INTO A ORTHOPEDIC AND PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY DURING THE WAR.

PLAYED THAT ROLE.

I WAS ALSO SUPPORTING FAMILIES DURING THAT TIME.

THEN I WAS AT WALTER REED AFTER THAT.

WHERE THE FOCUS WAS REALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH GULF WAR SYNDROME.

THAT WAS REALLY MY ACTIVE DUTY EXPERIENCE.

AND I WOULDN'T SAY THAT I LEFT THE SERVICE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM AS A RESULT OF MY SERVICE.

>>Lauren: DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

I DON'T WANT TO PUSH ANYTHING YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH.

>> NOT BEING CLINICIAN LIKE THESE TWO SMART FOLKS.

OPPOSITE ME, OTHER THAN THE DEPLOYMENT.

>> THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT, AND READ ABOUT, WENT THROUGH A BIT OF HARD TIME RETURNED FROM DESERT STORM.

LOST DIRECT FAMILY MEMBER UNEXPECTEDLY.

AND HAVING GONE THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE, AND THEN HAVING THE ABILITY TO TURN TO THE VA FOR HELP, REALLY WAS BENEFICIAL FOR ME.

AND BENEFICIAL FOR MY FAMILY TO GET OVER IMMEDIATE DEATH UPON A COMBAT SITUATION.

>>Lauren: BEFORE I MOVE ON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DENISE TOO FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR VETERANS AS WELL.

ERIC IN KAILUA ASKING HOW CAN WE AS FAMILY MEMBERS HELP SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO CONVINCE THEM THAT HELP IS OUT THERE?

>> I HAVE JUST TO SAY, IT IS A CHALLENGE.

MY NATURE IS TO WANT TO INCLUDE FAMILY MEMBERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AND THEY ARE WELCOME.

BUT A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S THE VETERAN WHO IS NOT REALLY READY FOR THE FAMILY TO BE A PART OF THEIR CARE.

BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE, TO SUPPORT TO JUST BE SUPPORTIVE, TO TRY TO BE UNATTACHED TO THE OUTCOME OF IT, TALK ABOUT ONE'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, WHY THAT IS IMPACTING AS FAMILY MEMBER, WHEN YOU DO THAT, IT HURTS MY FEELINGS.

AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE YOU TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

VETERANS DON'T WANT TO HURT PEOPLE'S FEELINGS.

I HAVE NEVER MET A BIGGER HEARTED PEOPLE THAN VETERANS.

THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING THAT THEY WILL DO WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

BEING CLEAR WITH THEM THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING AND I WOULD HIKE TO YOU GET HELP.

I SUPPORT YOU.

I LOVE I CARE ABOUT YOU.

YOU'RE MY HUSBAND FATHER OF MY CHILDREN I WANT US DO SOMETHING TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE DEFINITELY IMPORTANT.

FOR ME WHEN I WORK WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, ONE MAJOR PIECE THAT I TRY TO DO IS EDUCATE.

THESE ARE SYMPTOMS BEHAVIORS.

ADAPTIONS.

THESE ADAPTIONS YOU'RE SEEING UNDERSTANDABLE ADAPTIONS TO REALLY HIGH STRESS TRAUMATIC EVENTS WHAT WE'RE SEEING BEAUTIFUL ABILITY FOR HUMANS TO ADAPT TO REALLY REALLY STRESSFUL SITUATION.

BUT NOW, THIS CIVILIAN LIFE IS NOT THAT TO MAKE THE TRANSITION CAN BE CHALLENGING.

BUT I HAVE FOUND THE MORE THAT I EDUCATE ABOUT BEHAVIORS AND ADAPT SHUNS MORE FAMILY MEMBER DOESN'T PERSONALIZE THESE BEHAVIORS.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU.

YOU HAPPEN TO BE THE PERSON IN THE ROOM AT THE   TIME YOU'RE SEEING THIS BEHAVIOR.

>> HELPFUL FOR THEM NOT TO THINK THAT THIS IS ABOUT THEM AS A FAMILIAR MEMBER AND THEY CAN TAKE A STEP BACK.

>>Lauren: GO AHEAD.

>> IF I MAY ADD, SOMETIMES VETERANS WILL OPEN UP WITH THESE TYPES OF THINGS WHEN THEY SPEAK TO A FELLOW VETERAN.

SERVICE OFFICER FOR VETERANS COME IN AND TALK TO THEM.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN PRETTY MUCH DOING THE SAME THING THAT THEY'VE DONE.

AND THEN ONCE WE HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEM, NOT ONLY TRY TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR COMPENSATION, THROUGH APPLYING FOR COMPENSATION FROM THE VBA ALSO THEN SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT?

MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO SEE THE VETS CENTER.

OR WE CAN GIVE THEM NUMBERS TO SEE FOLKS IN THE VA. OR WE CAN GO SEE IF HAVE YOU ISSUES WITH YOUR FAMILY, TALK TO WHOMEVER.

COHEN NETWORK.

AND SO AGAIN, I LIKE TO SAY IF THEY'RE A VETERANS OUT THERE JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SPEAKING TO A CIVILIAN PER SE, WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS LIKE THEM, FOR LACK OF BETTER WAY OF PUTTING IT, VSOS ARE THERE.

WE CAN LISTEN TO THEM WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'LL THEN OFFER THEM ADVICE WHERE TO GO FOR WHAT WE THINK THEY MIGHT NEED.

>>Lauren: ARE YOU FINDING CERTAIN AGE RANGE OF VETERANS THAT COME IN TO YOU AND SEEKING HELP?

OR IS IT ALL AGE RANGES AND GENDERS.

>> ALL AGE RANGES.

>>Lauren: JUST GOT OUT TO YEARS.

>> CORRECT.

>>Lauren: QUESTION FOR YOU FROM JACKIE FROM WAHIAWA.

MY HUSBAND ENLISTED IN THE ARMY FEW MONTHS AGO.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE WHAT HELPS A SPOUSE PREVENT THEM FROM FACING FURTHER MENTAL STRUGGLES?

>> A LOT OF RESILIENCY SKILLS THAT SERVICE MEMBERS CAN LEARN AND FAMILY MEMBERS CAN LEARN.

ACTUALLY REALLY VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT.

SO THERE'S REALLY WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE TREATMENT THAT I DO, I'M DOING TWO THINGS.

BUILDING RESILIENCY CAPACITY TO MANAGE STRESS.

RELATIONSHIPS LIFE AND ALSO TRYING TO DO HEALING AND RECOVERY FROM TRAUMA.

TRYING TO DO BOTH OF THINGS DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL A TRAUMA OCCURS.

BUILD RESILIENCY BUILD SKILLS.

ALMOST ANY MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL KNOWS HOW HELP PEOPLE BUILD SKILL SET.

PEOPLE DEPLOY, FOR EXAMPLE, RIF THAT SKILL SET, COME BACK AND MANAGE IT MUCH BETTER.

AS A RESULT OF THAT.

DO YOU NEED A SEE A PSYCHOLOGIST THERAPIST TO BUILD THAT SKILL SETS GIVE US EXAMPLE OF RESILIENCY SKILLS ISSUING, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A PSYCHOLOGIST, I GO THERE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I DO.

BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME SIMPLE THINGS, LIVING IN A HEALTH WAY.

BUILDING HEALTHY LIFE HABITS AROUND SLEEP AND EXERCISE AND FOOD AND NUTRITION.

AROUND TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.

WELLNESS.

JUST LIKE A WHOLE FIELD OF WELLNESS THAT I THINK IS REALLY VALUABLE.

I THINK LEARNING HOW TO COMMUNICATE UNDER STRESS AND BE ABLE TO MANAGE STRESS SKILL PEOPLE CAN LEARN.

LEARN IT FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST AND OTHER PLACES TOO.

CURIOUS ENOUGH TO BUILD THAT CAPACITY.

SO IT'S A TOLERANCE, IF YOU WILL, YOU CAN BUILD RESILIENCY AND CAPACITY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT.

THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO.

>>Lauren: WOULD YOU SUGGEST THAT JUST FOR THE SPOUSES OR ALSO THOSE GETTING INTO THE ARMY RIGHT NOW OR MILITARY.

>> ARMY TEACHES SOMETHING.

MRT.

MASTER RESILIENCY TRAINING.

SO ARMY AND I THINK ALL BRANCHES OF THE SERVICE ARE DOING SIMILAR KIND OF SKILL BUILDING.

WHEN IT IS PRESENTED TO THEM, IN THE MILITARY, PRESENTED IN A VERY ACADEMIC BOOKISH SORT OF WAY.

NOT VERY INTERESTING.

GROANS AND ROLLS THEIR EYES.

THERE'S A LOT VALUE IN THAT.

KIND OF SKILL SET THAT IS AVAILABLE RIGHT THERE AT WORK.

AND THEN SO FAMILIES, WHOLE FAMILY CAN LEARN THIS.

>>Lauren: I WOULD SAY EVERY BRANCH LIKE FOR THE ARMY, ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDES A LOT OF DIFFERENT RESOURCE.

MARINE CORPS.

THEY HAVE FAMILY READINESS OFFICERS.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO BE ABLE TO HELP BUILD RESILIENCY.

PROMOTE POST‑TRAUMATIC GROWTH.

DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO COME OUT WITH STRESS DISORDER.

COME OUT WITH GROWTH THERE TOO.

>>Lauren: I'LL GIVE YOU THIS NEXT QUESTION.

NATE IS ASKING, I HAVE JUST RECEIVED REPORT, I HAVE SLEEP APNEA.

DEFINITELY HAPPENED WHILE I WAS IN THE ARMY.

I FEEL ALONE ON FIGHTING FOR IT.

WHERE COULD A VETERAN LIKE ME GO TO FOR HELP?

>> VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION.

SERVICE OFFICER CAN SPEAK TO THAT VETERAN PROVIDE HIM WHAT THE VA PROVIDES COMPENSATION FOR THAT SORT OF MALADY THAT HE'S DEALING WITH.

>> THEN ASK FOR HIM TO PROVIDE CERTAIN MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION AND BACKGROUND.

SO WE CAN HELP HIM GET THE COMPENSATION THEY WOULD RATE FOR SLEEP APNEA.

SO VETERANS CAN DO THIS ONLINE WITH THE VA AND APPLY FOR THEIR OWN BENEFITS THE A LOT OF TIMES BECAUSE THE BUREAUCRACY AND SO MASSIVE IT COULD BE VERY FRUSTRATING.

THAT'S WHAT A SERVICE OFFICER DOES.

THIS VETERAN WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANY HELP IN A REGARD, I CAN PROVIDE A PHONE NUMBER UNBASHABLY PROMOTE OURSELVES HERE.

433‑0494.

CALL THAT NUMBER, WE'LL CALL BACK WITH WITHIN 24 HOURS AND SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR HIM HE CAN COME IN AND SPEAK WITH ISSUES, SLEEP APNEA.

PTSD OR ANY OTHER SORT OF PROBLEMS WITH CAN HIS BODY SEE IF WE CAN GET HIS COMPENSATION.

>>Lauren: DO THE AREA CODE.

808.

REPEAT THE WHOLE PHONE NUMBER.

>> 433‑0494 OR 0495.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO READ THIS ONE COMMENT FROM ELAYNE EMAILED IN.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MAYBE EVERYONE ON THE PANEL TO ADDRESS IT.

ON OAHU, FAMILY MEMBER SPOUSE NEEDS HELP DEALING WITH HER VETERAN HUSBAND WHAT DOES NOT BELIEVE HE IS SUFFERING FROM PTSD.

ASKED FOR HELP.

TOLD HER HUSBAND NEEDS TO ASK FOR HELP.

YOUR PANEL MAKES IT SOUND EASY TO GET HELP.

EVERY VET I'VE TALKED TO SAYS OTHERWISE.

>> CAN YOU MAYBE SPEAK TO LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT HOW THERE ARE RESOURCES BUT I THINK YOU ALL WOULD AGREE THAT'S NOT EASY TO GET HELP.

>> I'LL START.

IF I MAY SAY, AGAIN, NONCLINICIAN JUST TO SAY, AS A RETIRED MARINE, IT'S NOT, INTUITIVE THAT YOU JOIN THE SERVICE KNOWING THAT THERE'S A GOOD POTENTIALLY YOU'LL SEE COMBAT.

AND AS SUCH, ONE GOES THROUGH TRAINING AND GOES THROUGH DEPLOYMENTS AND WHAT IS CONSTANTLY FACED ALL THE TIME IS STRESS, VERY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.

WAY TO GET THROUGH IT IS TO STRENGTH.

INNER STRENGTH.

AND A LOT OF TIMES HARD TO DECOUPLE THAT FEELING OF GOING THROUGH ANOTHER DEPLOYMENT AND SUCKING IT UP FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

VERY HARD FOR A LOT OF VETERANS WHEN THEY RETIRE.

OR GET OUT.

TO THEN DECOUPLE AND BECOME VERY AMENABLE TO GO AND GET HELP.

USED TO REGIMENTED BACKGROUND.

ATTITUDE OF GO IN THERE DO YOUR JOB.

THAT'S YOUR MISSION, GOT TO CARRY ON WHEN YOU GOT TO DEAL WITH.

VERY HARD TO FOR VETERANS TO SAY, TURNING SWITCH.

I COULD GO HOME.

OPEN UP AND HARD FOR ME.

I KNOW IT'S HARD FOR A LOT OF VETERANS.

SO IF I MAY SAY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THESE TWO PEOPLE ACROSS BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT ALL THAT GOODNESS THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO OUR VETERANS OVER THE YEARS.

SO THANK YOU BOTH.

>>Lauren: I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE THERE ARE RESOURCES OUT THERE.

BUT IT IS HARD FOR VETS TO ASK FOR HELP,.

>> IT COULD BE THAT.

I WILL SAY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.

BUT KIND OF NATIONWIDE, THERE IS A REALLY HIGH NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

AND SO BECAUSE THE ESPECIALLY AFTER COVID‑19 PANDEMIC, THERE'S BEEN SUCH AN INCREASE IN PEOPLE WANTING TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

DEMAND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED BUT IT DOESN'T   NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THERE IS MORE CLINICIANS AVAILABLE.

MIGHT BE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES TOO THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING.

A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE HAS MOVED INTO THE TELEHEALTH KIND OF REALM.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEY MIGHT BE SOME CHALLENGE OR BARRIERS OR SOME RESISTANCE TO THE TELEHEALTH PROCESS FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

I CAN SAY THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE MAY FIND IT A BIT CHALLENGING OR FEEL LIKE THIS IS MORE PEOPLE ARE ANSWERING PHONES.

WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

>> I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD HAVE THAT PERCEPTION THERE ARE RESOURCES, THERE A LOT OF AVAILABILITY IN OUR ISLANDS.

JUST TO STAY PERSISTENT.

NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR OWN HEALTH.

THAT'S WAY WITH WOULD SAY.

>> DON'T GIVE UP OR YOUR OWN HEALTH.

ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF.

>>Lauren: SARAH FROM WAIPAHU IS ASKING, HOW ARE WE DOING IN HAWAII COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE NATION?

MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT.

AS FAR AS MAYBE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

AND ALSO, NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETS.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE DOING COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

SO MAYBE MY COLLEAGUES HERE MIGHT HAVE MORE INFORMATION.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT THERE IS A ROBUST VHA SYSTEM HERE.

BUT IF YOU ARE LIVING ON ONE OF THE OUTER ISLANDS, YOU MAY FEEL THE STRAIN AFTER LITTLE BIT MORE HAVING TO FLY TO OAHU TO GET CERTAIN TYPES OF MEDICAL TREATMENT.

I DON'T HAVE STATISTICS.

I DON'T HAVE NUMBERS.

BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS AT LEAST MY EXPERIENCE FOR THE CLINICIANS THAT ARE HERE, FOR OUR VETERANS OFFICERS THAT ARE HERE, YOU HAVE VERY COMPASSIONATE, VERY PASSIONATE PEOPLE WHO ARE WANTING TO WORK WITH VETERANS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VETERANS IN HAWAII.

ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE BRANCHES BEING ON THIS ISLAND.

THERE'S A LOT OF VETERANS.

THERE IS A LOT OF NEED HERE.

>>Lauren: YOU WORKED ALL OVER.

CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THAT EVEN IF IT'S ANECDOTALLY.

>> IT ANECDOTALLY, DON'T HAVE NUMBERS.

VERY SIMILAR.

I HAVE WORKED ALL AROUND COUNTRY.

WOULD JUST SAY, WE'RE ABOUT ON PAR WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN OTHER STATES.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT'S HAPPENING IT'S A SMALL ISLAND.

WE ARE SERVICING THE ENTIRE REGION.

SO PRRP TREAT PEOPLE FROM AMERICAN SAMOA, FROM GUAM, FROM SAIPAN, FROM THE PHILIPPINES, FROM KOREA, FROM JAPAN, THIS IS AND FROM ALASKA.

AND FROM NEVADA, AND FROM ARIZONA.

AND FROM CALIFORNIA.

IT IS A BIG, BIG REGION.

AND OUR PARTICULAR SITUATION IS VERY UNIQUE IN THAT REGARD.

BECAUSE FROM A PURE NUMBERS POINT OF VIEW, IT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE WE HAVE THAT MANY, BUT WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE BARRIERS OF PACIFIC OCEAN, AND TRYING TO MANAGE THAT, IT'S REALLY QUITE UNDERTAKING.

IF I CAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY COUPLE THINGS.

IF I OFFER A NUMBER.

ACCESSING VA CARE, I COULD SAY WALK INTO OF ANY OF THE CLINICS AND GET ASSISTANCE THERE.

BUT YOU WON'T GET SEEN RIGHT AWAY.

AND SO IT MIGHT BE SMARTER TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AND SO CALL 1‑800‑214‑1306.

THIS IS THE VETERAN ADMINISTRATION CALL CENTER NUMBER.

AND IT'S A 24‑HOUR NUMBER.

SO SOMEONE WILL ALWAYS ANSWER THE PHONE AND DIRECT YOU IN THE RIGHT WAY.

IF I CAN ALSO JUST SAY, A LOT OF VETERANS IN CRISIS.

SUICIDE PREVENTION IS PARTICULAR INTEREST OF MINE.

THERE IS NUMBER THAT VETERANS CAN CALL VETERANS CRISIS LINE NUMBER.

988.

OPTION 1.

THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT RESOURCES I WOULD LIKE EVERYBODY TO KNOW ABOUT.

>>Lauren: WE DID PUT THOSE NUMBERS ON THE SCREEN AS WELL AS WERE YOU READING THEM OFF.

VERY HELPFUL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING.

YOU TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE REGION IN HAWAII.

SPEAKING OF THAT.

ARE THERE CHALLENGES UNIQUE TO VETERANS HERE IN HAWAII THAT THEY'RE FACING WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH?

MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE MIGHT WANT TO CHIME IN ON.

OR DOCTOR MAYBE YOU CAN GO FIRST.

IS IT KIND OF SAME ACROSS THE BOARD ACROSS THE NATION?

>> WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTICE THESE DAYS.

CONCEPT OF POSITIONALITY, IDENTITY, AND BEING SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE'S IDENTITIES.

AND I THINK IN HAWAII, WITH THE CULTURE IN HAWAII, AND THEN FRANKLY, THERE'S ALSO WHEN WE TREAT FOLKS AMERICAN SAMOA OR GUAM, A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDENTITIES, CULTURES, POSITIONS, BUT PEOPLE ARE TAKING TO FIND THEIR WAY IN THE WORLD.

AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY INCUMBENT ON US TO RESPECT THE POSITION OF THE FOLKS THAT WE TREAT.

I THINK IT'S A BIGGER CHALLENGE HERE, OAHU IS THE GATHERING PLACE.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IDENTITIES HERE TO MANAGE AND I THINK IT DOES MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT.

I THINK THAT THERE MAY BE SOME ASSUMPTIONS THAT FOLKS HAVE ABOUT GOING TO THE VA FOR EXAMPLE.

THAT THE VA JUST SORT OF IS A FACTORY.

MAYBE AND JUST SORT OF, I'M A WIDGET IN A BIG SYSTEM AND I CAN TELL YOU, AND THIS IS ECHOING WHAT DENISE SAID, I'VE MET THE MOST CARING, EFFECTIVE PROVIDERS THAT I'VE KNOWN AT THE VA. AND SO IT REALLY ISN'T LIKE THAT.

BUT THERE ARE VARY BARRIERS STIGMA AND JUST OVERCOMING ASSUMPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.

>>Lauren: THIS QUESTION CAN GO TO YOU.

KEVIN FROM KALIHI SAYS, SAW SOMETHING ON VETERAN FEMALE HAVE MORE MENTAL HEALTH.

>>.

IS THAT TRUE?

IF SO WHY DO YOU THINK THAT CIRCUMSTANCES CAN'T SPEAK TO TRUE OR NOT.

FEMALES HAVE LITTLE MORE, LESS STIGMA AROUND WOMEN GOING TO SEEK MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S REALLY OCCURRING BECAUSE THEY'RE EXPERIENCING IT MORE OR THEY'RE MORE WILLING TO ACCESS THE RESOURCE.

SO I DON'T NECESSARILY‑I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT STIGMA AND WHAT SOCIETY SAYS IS OKAY, AND NOT OKAY, I THINK THAT PLAYS A HUGE PIECE IN WHAT GETS REPORTED, HOW HONEST PEOPLE ARE WHEN THEY'RE REPORTING CERTAIN INFORMATION, BUT I THINK IF PEOPLE COULD REALLY SWITCH THEIR NARRATIVE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN INJURY, JUST LIKE IF YOU BROKE A LEG, YOU WOULD GO AND YOU WOULD GO GET LEG TREATED.

THIS IS NO DIFFERENT.

AND IF WE CAN KIND OF MAKE THAT SHIFT, YOU MIGHT SEE THAT STATISTIC SHIFT.

OR CHANGE.

>>Lauren: ARE YOU SEEING DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT ARE FEMALE VETERANS ARE FACING AS OPPOSED TO MALE VETERANS?

>> SO YES.

I DO SEE, I TEND TO SEE MOST OF OUR FEMALE VETERANS THAT COME IN THROUGH OUR CENTER AND PRIMARILY COMING IN BECAUSE OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA.

AND OFTENTIMES, HAVING CHALLENGES WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE WHILE THEY WERE IN THE MILITARY, AND HOW THEY WERE BEING TREATED WHILE THEY WERE THE MILITARY, AND WHETHER IT'S HARASSMENT OR BEING OSTRACIZED, I AM SEEING THAT CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING ARE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN MY VETERANS WHO SAW COMBAT, LITTLE BIT DIFFERENCE.

BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE.

>>Lauren: BOBBY FROM FACEBOOK ASKING, WITH ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL AND THIS IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING YOU TOUCHED ON A LITTLE BIT EARLIER.

HOPING YOU COULD EXPAND ON IT.

ABOUT ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL COME BACK FROM WARTIME DEPLOYMENTS OVERSEAS, DOES THE MILITARY PREPARE THEM FOR THE DIFFICULT TRANSITION AHEAD?

>> CAN I SPEAK FOR THE MARINE CORPS.

SO TO ANSWER BOBBY'S QUESTION, I WOULD SAY YES.

I KNOW PLACE WHERE I RETIRED FROM IS CAMP LEJEUNE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

TRANSITIONING CENTERS THERE.

PEOPLE COME BACK FROM DEPLOYMENT GO THROUGH A BATTERY OF TESTS.

PSYCHIATRIC CHECK PEOPLE IF THEY'VE HAD TBI'S TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES.

BASIC MUSCULAR SKELETAL CHECKUPS.

>> THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

AND SO I THINK IN GOOD FAITH, THE MILITARY DOES TRY FOR THOSE WOULD HAVE GONE IN HARM'S WAY, TO HELP THEM TRANSITION.

DO SOME FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT I THINK THE MILITARY AGAIN BACK THAT PHRASES IN GOOD FAITH, TRIES ITS BEST UNDER THE VERY TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES OF SO MANY YOUNG SERVICEMEN GOING FORWARD AND COMING BACK TO HELP THEM AND IF THEY ARE FOUND IN NEED, THEN WHAT I HAVE SEEN BEING IN A POSITION OF COMMAND AT THE CAMP.

BACK INTO THE TRANSITIONED INTO THE NAVAL MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VARIETY OF ISSUES.

AND THEN IF THEY TIME FOR THEM TO GO INTO THE CIVILIAN WORLD, TAKEN CARE OF AFTER THEY LEAVE OUT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION I BELIEVE SO.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS, NOT A YES OR NO, BUT I BELIEVE WE DO.

>>Lauren: SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE MILITARY COULD TO DO BETTER TO HELP THEM TRANSITION OR WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION FOR OUR VETERANS EVEN BETTER?

>> SOME THINGS I BELIEVE COULD BE LACK BETTER WORD, TWEAKED.

TRANSITION CLASSES THAT THE SERVICES HAVE, SERVICES HAVE, TAPPED CLASSES THAT ARE DIFFERENT.

MARINE CORPS WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THE AIR FORCE.

DIFFERENT ARMY.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, SPECIFIC MORE OR LESS.

TAP CLASS UNIFORM ACROSS ALL SERVICE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO ADDRESS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>>Lauren: AGNES FROM MAUI ASKING, WHAT CAN EMPLOYERS DO TO HELP VETERANS ON THEIR STAFF WOULD THEY NOTICE MAY BE HAVING A PROBLEM?

IS IT A SIMPLE AS ASKING EMPLOYEE IF THEY NEED HELP?

>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD PLACE TO START.

I HEAR EMPLOYERS TAKING A BIG RANGE OF POSITIONS ON THIS.

>> SOME DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, DON'T WANT ANY OF THAT INTERFERENCE.

IF SO, MAYBE THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT PLACE FOR YOU TO BE EMPLOYED.

>> OTHERS BEING VERY COMPASSIONATE AND SYMPATHETIC TO AND PREFERRING TO HIRE VETERANS.

VARIETY OF RESPONSES THAT EMPLOYERS ARE GIVEN.

GIVING.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE EMPLOYER TO BE CURIOUS AND TO REPORT WHAT THEY'RE SEEING AND SAY HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING HELP FOR THAT?

THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE HELPFUL TO YOU HERE.

AND AT HOME.

>>Lauren: DO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU CHOOSE AS FAR AS WHAT EXACTLY TO SAY, WORDING WISE, WHEN APPROACHING SOMEBODY?

>> I THINK THAT EACH WORKPLACE, IS DIFFERENT.

AND THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SUPERVISOR IS DIFFERENT.

SO SOMETIMES THAT WOULD BE VERY WELL TOLERATED AND OTHER TIMES, OF COURSE, NOT AT ALL.

SO EMPLOYER NEEDS TO KNOW HOW THAT WOULD NEED TO PLAY OUT IN THEIR WORKPLACE.

>>Lauren: CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS THE PROCESS, VETERAN COMES IN, HOW LONG BEFORE MAYBE THEY CAN SEE SOMEONE LIKE DR. DELANO OR GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> I COULD ONLY SPEAK FOR VET CENTERS.

>> I WOULD SAY DEPENDING ON THE VET CENTER YOU'RE GOING TO DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF COUNSELING THEY HAVE AVAILABLE.

IN HAWAII TRY TO SEE YOU SAME DAY IF WE HAVE THE ABILITY.

IF NOT, TRY TO GET YOU IN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

AT LEAST TO TOUCH BASE TO ASSESS FOR RISK LEVEL TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT AT RISK HAVING SAFETY RELATED ISSUES.

AND THEN OUR GOAL REALLY IS TO PROVIDE YOU SUPPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I KNOW HILO VET CENTER, IF YOU WALK IN, WE TRY OUR BEST TO SEE YOU AT LEAST SIT WITH YOU FOR LITTLE BIT JUST TO TALK STORY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T NEED TO GET YOU SOMEWHERE RIGHT NOW.

IF WE CAN, WE'LL SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT LATER ON IF IT'S NOT EMERGENCY NEED.

>>Lauren: HOW HELPFUL FOR VETERANS GOTTEN HELP WITH PROBLEMS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND IMPROVEMENTS WITH FELLOW VETERANS MAY BE RELUCTANT TO SEEK HELP.

I'M ASSUMING SOMETHING YOU'VE PROBABLY DONE FIRSTHAND TO OTHER FELLOW VETS.

>> YES.

TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION.

IT IS VERY HELPFUL.

IN MY OPINION.

HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT ACROSS THE TABLE OR SIT AROUND A TABLE WITH ANOTHER VETERAN, WOULD GENERALLY SPEAKING HAS GONE THROUGH WHAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH, IS HELPS FOR VETERAN TO OPEN UP.

ALWAYS THE CASE?

NO.

A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S THE CASE.

>> AND WHAT WE TRY TO TELL VETERANS WHEN WE COME IN, SEEKING HELP WITH THEIR CLAIMS, IS THAT IN YOUR OWN WAY, EXPLAIN WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU.

WE'RE NOT FEELING SORRY FOR YOU.

JUST ONE VET TO ANOTHER VET.

PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU GONE THROUGH WHAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH.

GIVE OR TAKE.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, THAT ALLOWS THEM TO OPEN UP.

AND SO THEY'RE NOT LOOKING AT YOU AS IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT AND NO IDEA THE EXPERIENCES THEY WENT THROUGH.

AND SO I THINK IN MANY INSTANCES, JUST HAVING A VETERAN TALK TO THEM AND HAVING THEM HELP THEM OPEN UP VERY BENEFICIAL.

>>Lauren: ANY ADVICE TO ANY OF OUR VETERANS WHO ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW?

WOULD MAY BE STRUGGLING.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THEM?

>> FIRST LIKE TO SAY THAT THEIR SPOUSES, HAVE PATIENCE.

BE PATIENT WITH YOUR SPOUSE.

THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

AND I GO BACK TO WHAT I SAID BEFORE.

VERY HARD TO TRANSITION WHEN WE CAME BACK TO OPEN UP ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK MIGHT BE WEAK BECAUSE ALWAYS THESE YEARS, TAUGHT TO BE STRONG.

CARRY THAT PACK.

MARCH AN EXTRA MILE.

STOP WHINING, ALL OF THESE TYPE OF THINGS THAT CAN BE VERY, VERY BENEFICIAL IN A VERY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT, WHEN YOU COME HOME WITH THAT MENTALITY, THIS TYPE OF SITUATION, DEALING WITH, THEN IT'S NOT BENEFICIAL AT ALL.

AND SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING I ASK THE SPOUSES.

AS MUCH AS THEY CAN, TO BE AS PATIENT AS THEY CAN WITH THEIR SPOUSE AND TRY TO NUDGE THEM, BIT BY BIT, TO COME SEE THE VA, VET CENTER, AND THEN INDEED, COME SEE A SERVICE OFFICER WHETHER IT BE WITH THE VFW OR ANY OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS I MENTION EARLIER.

WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO HELP.

>>Lauren: JASON MENTIONED WORD NUDGE.

WRAP THINGS FEW MORE MINUTES.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TALKED ABOUT IT ALL THE RESOURCES OUT THERE.

HOW DO YOU BEST SUGGEST OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES CAN NUDGE VETERANS AND THEIR WIVES WOULD MAY NEED HELP?

>> I LIKE THE WORD BEING PATIENT.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

EARLIER I SAID JUST COMMENTING ON WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I WOULD SAY, DENISE YOU WERE SAYING SOMETHING SIMILAR EARLIER, I WOULD SAY THIS THE MAJORITY OF VETERANS THAT I HAVE TREATED ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS THAT I HAVE TREATED OVER THE YEARS.

>> ARE THERE BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY MEMBER NUDGED THEM.

WE JUST, FAMILY IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND I KNOW IT CAN FEEL SOMETIMES YOU'RE WALKING ON EGGSHELLS OR NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE SAYING OR DOING, IT'S NOT WORKING AND IT'S NOT RIGHT.

AND I GUESS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT GENTLE, LOVING, CARING NUDGE, TO REQUEST I'LL GO WITH YOU, THIS IS FOR ALL OF US TO GET BETTER, WE ALL NEED TO FIGURE THIS OUT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT MOST OF THE TIME, IT'S THE FAMILY MEMBER THAT BRINGS THEM IN, AND VETERAN DOES DOES NOT WANT TO INCLUDE THEM IN THE TREATMENT.

THAT IS JUST BEEN MY EXPERIENCE.

NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH ON THAT, NOT WHERE THEY ARE JUST YET AND BUT THEY DO GO BACK AND TELL THEIR SPOUSE THAT THEY ARE SORRY, THAT THEY ARE GRATEFUL, AND THAT THEY'RE READY TO TURN THE PAGE.

>>Lauren: LAST TIPS IN REGARDS TO NUDGING VETERANS WHO MAY NEED HELP.

>> IF YOU'RE A FAMILY SUPPORTING VETERAN, OVERWHELMING AND RADICAL ACCEPTANCE OF THAT PERSON.

AND REALLY COMING FROM A PLACE OF NONJUDGING, AND SEEING THAT THIS IS AN INJURY.

THERE IS SUFFERING THAT IS BEING EXPERIENCED RIGHT NOW.

THAT MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO, MIGHT NOT BE AWARENESS TO IT.

BUT I THINK KEY REALLY IS PATIENCE.

AND UNDERSTANDING THE MORE THAT YOU CAN BE ACCEPTING AND LOVING, BUT ALSO, WANTING TO ENCOURAGE THEIR ABILITY TO NOT SUFFER.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD KIND OF FRAMEWORK TO WORK THROUGH YOUR OWN MIND, BECAUSE IT KIND OF HELPS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO LEAD THAT CONVERSATION.

>>Lauren: I'M ASSUMING YOU SEE A LOT OF FAMILY MEMBERS DO THEIR RESEARCH ON RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.

THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE THE ONES THAT SAY, HEY, AVAILABLE.

LET'S GO SEEK HELP.

>> QUITE OFTEN YES.

YES.

YES.

I HAVE TO SAY, TESTAMENT TO HOW IMPORTANT FAMILY MEMBERS SPOUSES ARE, TO SUPPORTING OUR VETERAN.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

ARE A FEW MINUTES.

I WANT TO READ THIS ONE COMMENT AND GO OVER THE PHONE NUMBERS THAT WE MENTIONED IN THE RESOURCES.

MARK FROM MANOA SAYS, THANK YOU TO THE PANEL AND PBS HAWAII FOR THIS TIMELY SHOW AND THANK YOU THINKING OF OUR VETERANS THIS WEEK.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> ANY VETERANS OUT THERE WATCHING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS WELL.

WRAP THINGS UP, JASON DO YOU MIND SHARING ONE MORE TIME THAT RESOURCE AND PHONE NUMBER.

EXPLAIN REALLY BRIEFLY WHAT IS IT AND THAT PHONE NUMBER ONE MORE TIME.

>> SURE.

IF I CAN, PROVIDE A QUICK EMAIL ADDRESS.

>>Lauren: REALLY QUICKLY.

>> VFW.VBA HH01VA.COM.

SELLING SENDING EMAIL TO THAT ADDRESS SERVICE OFFICER FOR THE VF.

W. WE'LL ANSWER THAT HELP VETERAN WITH THEIR CLAIM.

433‑0494 OR 0495.

>>Lauren: PERFECT.

WE ALSO HAVE TWO OTHER PHONE NUMBERS THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT UP ON THE SCREEN ONE MORE TIME.

GOT THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE.

>> THAT NUMBER IS JUST 988.

AGAIN, VETERAN CRISIS LINE, 988.

AND PRESS NUMBER 1.

ALSO HAVE PACIFIC ISLANDS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THAT NUMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL IS 1‑800‑214‑1306.

MAHALO ALL OF YOU FOR JOIN YOU TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FABULOUS GUESTS IN STUDIO.

DENISE LINK, DR. KEN DELANO, AND JASON SEAL NEXT WEEK, THE ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.

MORE THAN 125 YEARS LATER, IT CONTINUES TO BE FIERCELY DEBATED AND A PUSH FOR SOVEREIGNTY REMAINS.

WHY KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY MATTERS.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I.

ALOHA!

¶¶ ¶¶