‘It almost broke us apart.’
by Cynthia Odom“This has been a three year stint that we’re talking about as far as suffering through Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),” says Hernando Pena, a veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. “It almost broke us apart.”
Pena has a clear view of what they’re up against; after two deployments from Fort Carson, his stress came out in the form of anger and alcohol use.
Once he realized he needed help, Pena and his wife, Mari, say they saw how widespread an issue PTSD really is and that local service providers were swamped.
“The fact that 70 percent of troops and families who attend church, or other faith groups, do so off-post means it is a community issue,” says Mike Chapman, Military Ministry staff member at Fort Carson.
“Talking about the divorce rate among troops being at least twice the national average. Every day five, either active duty or retired, servicemembers are trying to commit suicide, so the need is tremendous,” says Chapman.
Hernando now tells people his faith, along with support from others, are what worked for him. He hopes churches get the message and offer more counseling and outreach for soldiers.
“Churches have a lot more resources than they realize,” says Chapman. He adds that the best part about churches helping out is that they don’t have to do much differently—he says they’re already set up to help. Right now they want church leaders keeping an eye out in their congregations, so they can put those resources to work.
Click here to find out how you can minister to the military!
“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.
Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13
