RHFC_piper
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GreyMatter said:I believe the best therapy out there is a site like this where you can connect with others who have had the same difficulties...
I couldn't agree more. This site, in particular, has been a great help since I've been home. Thanks to people I've met here, and my ability to vent frustrations (to people who actually listen) I've been able to get things sorted out. Example; Since my last post in this thread, I've been contacted by every organization with whom I had problems getting through to before, thanks to certain members who have higher contacts with said organizations. Things have turned around since then, and everything is starting to piece together.
With that said; perhaps I should have mentioned something about all this when I first came home; 11 months ago.
GreyMatter said:reference the OSISS reps, I dont see any point where they should 'step in' (unless you are meaning they are asked to assist with a case). I believe this should be initiated by one or more of three triggers:
a) individual self-declares a need for OSISS assistance;
b) supervisor or higher recommends a need for OSISS assistance;
c) or, medical, social or mental health worker recommends a need for OSISS assistance.
Assistance needs to be immediate - not in months, but in days and preferably within a week. If OSISS cant do this, then they need to get their act together and stop acting like an external specialist.
As much as I agree with you, GreyMatter, there are some issues with these triggers;
a) Individual self declaration: Most soldiers who are in need are, for the most part, unaware of the services offered by OSSIS. I was first told about OSSIS when I was in Germany (hospital) and only briefly... I was also on enough Morphine, fentanyl, demerol and other opiate-based painkillers to stuff a horse into a tight coma for a month, so I don't remember much about it, except what comes in hazy flashbacks. Once I got home, I knew of their existence, but thought they were part of, or another name for, the OSI clinic. I was also grossly misinformed about what the OSI clinic was and what they could do as well... but that's another issue which has since been resolved.
But, back on track here, with all that said; of the few soldiers who know about OSSIS and what they can offer, even fewer will take the help, as it is not enforced (which it shouldn't be). But this is much like any other service offered (social worker, OSI clinic, etc.); It is up to the soldier to reach out for help and then accept the help given. With that in mind, most soldiers are of the mentality that they can 'soldier through' any issues they might have, and ignore the help offered... this is more so the case when the soldier doesn't have the right information... and it usually takes a catastrophic meltdown for the soldier or his/her family to sort out help (been there, done that, know the signs now).
What is the solution? Like a bad drivers test; there is now %100 solution, but the best answer I can think of is direct initiation of contact by these organiztions to help the soldier understand their options. As much as it is up to the soldier to reach out, it may help if someones hand was already there reaching back.
b) Supervisor / CoC: Again, another issue; Most supervisors within the CF are either unaware of the resources available, or of two like-opinions which can be a detriment to their subordinates health; 1) It's the soldiers personal business (one man, one kit), or 2) the soldier can soldier on (the 'old-school' attitude), and as above, it usually goes on until a catastrophic breakdown (not necessarily an emotional one, but sometimes within the chain of command). As much as it is a supervisors job to stay in tune with their subordinates (know your troops and promote their welfare), generally this can become a 'Too close for comfort' issue which most supervisors don't want to get involved in, and in some cases; neither does the subordinate. My personal experience; My current 'supervisor' has to know my every issue to report to higher (a new mandate which came from higher-higher... aka, LFCA).
As much as I appreciate their new found attention to detail, I am still not comfortable sharing some personal information, which he needs to do his job... not because I don't like him; far from... I think he's a good guy, and a great officer... but because I'm just not comfortable telling anyone certain things about my physical and mental well being... Also because of the number of people who have access to the weekly reports he submits.
Most soldiers (including myself) would not be comfortable with this kind of scrutiny (as necessary as it may be), and many supervisors would be uncomfortable dabbling into someone's personal life.
c) Military Health Services: This is the organization which has the most say and control. These are the people who need to do the leg-work and push a soldier towards the help. But the soldier should be made aware of their resources immediately, weather by forcing the issue (medical staff setting appointments with OSI / OSSIS) or by contact from these organizations (OSI / OSSIS initiating contact after being contacted by med staff). Either way, the military medical side of the house should be all over this... which they are. Every soldier returning from operation has to conduct a 'post-deployment screening'; this is the opportunity for further help to be pushed... but there are issues with the post-deployment screening system as is (at least for the reserves... due to lack of contact after re-deployment).
But, as it is right now, this is the best, and most effective way for a soldier to organize help; Through the medical system. If this breaks down for any reason (weather through the HSC or through contact with OSI / OSISS) then there is going to be a gap and a crack for the soldier to fall through.
Consider this; I was once told (by someone in either OSI or the military social services field... can't remember which) that for every one soldier who is receiving the necessary help, there are at least 10 who are not. This is not any one groups fault, but a gap that is created by everyone involved, including the soldier. And with more deployments, more soldiers having multiple deployments and the nature of some of the more recent deployments (combat) there will be many more soldiers who will need the help, but will be hindered by either; Lack of information, lack of contact, lack of self-identification. There are many cogs in the machine, all of which have to be running together or the machine crashed to a hard halt.
GreyMatter said:At this point it gets a bit blurry - 48th says he had a good experience with OSISS (if i recall correctly), Piper says he had a bad experience with OSISS. Should we at this point take a poll and see what others think of OSISS services?
I haven't had enough experience with OSISS to have a particularly bad opinion of them, which is really the problem. I wasn't completely sure what they could offer in the way of help until shortly after my last post in this thread. But, that really isn't their fault... thats just a breakdown in the dissemination of information (which I find is the basis for most problems in the CF and society in general... but I'll save that for another rant). Had I known what OSISS does long ago, when I first came home, I may have had more of a need and will to initiate contact with them, but the information just wasn't there... at least not all of it. All I knew of them was that at some point I might want to talk to them, but that would be sorted out by the people who were taking care of me. Now I have a keener understanding of their resources, and to be quite honest, I don't think I'm in need of their services anymore... I have a pretty good social support circle going as is. Between my friends from deployment and my unit, my family, the OSI clinic, HSC social workers and these forums, I have many outlets to vent frustrations and discuss problems / issues.
But, I will keep in contact with them, as they may, someday, become a valued resource.
Anyway, Sorry I've turned this into a long-winded diatribe (yet again)... just thought I'd share my insight into issues in which I now have much more experience than I wish I had. Hope it helps.
The system isn't broken, it just needs a tune-up... and maybe a new oil filer...