An organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma attached to Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), a syndrome typically associated with military combat but actually prevalent throughout society, is hosting a special event, “Breaking Silence,” Saturday, April 16 from 6 to 11 p.m at Liberty Station in Point Loma.
Rick Collins, founder/executive director of Veterans 360, a support group for veterans and numerous others afflicted by PTS that is hosting Breaking Silence, talked about the event, and why he started the support group nearly five years ago.
“As many as 35 percent of post-9/11 vets will struggle with some form of PTS,” said Collins, a British vet who’s contended with the syndrome. “The big thing I want to get across is that this is not a veteran’s issue. It’s a community issue impacting victims of domestic violence, first responders — anybody who’s experienced a traumatic event.”
Noting development of PTS is “influenced by a lot of life factors,” Collins said support networks and “buddy systems” are proven methods in helping PTS sufferers.
“PTS victims struggle in silence, which is why we’re calling our event ‘Breaking Silence,'” said Collins. Collins said PTS victims need to be educated about the condition because, he related, “A lot of people don’t even acknowledge that they have it.”
The music- and speech-oriented April 16 Liberty Station “Breaking Silence” event is being billed as
a “bluesy-, country-, rock-type salute to those struggling with PTS featuring the band The Farmers (formerly The Beat Farmers).
Guest speakers are to include: Capt. Florent Groberg, U.S. Army Meal of Honor winner discussing post-combat challenges with PTS; firefighter chief Matt Shobert, who nearly lost his life to PTS; and U.S. Navy Seal Bob Guzzo, who lost his SEAL son to PTS.
Breaking Silence event tickets cost $10-$35.
Collins said its past time to bring PTS out in the open and give those coping with it their own voice. He said, because many in society do not embrace PTS, nor understand it, that leads trauma victims to “go it alone in silence,” which he added “manifests itself in many ways from anger, to suicide, to alcoholism.”
“People struggling with it (PTS) are shunned, or labeled as having mental health issues, or of being angry and crazy,” said Collins. “Pretty much anything goes along with the stigma.”
Most importantly, Collins said PTS “is fixable with open ears, hearts and education.”
For more information visit www.carrythechallenge.org.