Breaking the Chains of Stigma Associated With Post Traumatic Stress. Questo articolo non è disponibile.Breaking the Chains of Stigma Associated With Post Traumatic Stress

“When we met, Sam shared his own story with me and explained his growing passion to help other Soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress. I encouraged him to expand his efforts, and we kept in touch after he retired. He shared with me the feedback he received from Soldiers and their families after they had heard his presentations, and he gave me a copy of his first book, Changing the Military Culture of Silence. I could only be impressed as he carried his message across the country.” George W. Casey General, US Army (Ret) Former Army Chief of Staff “With our veterans committing suicide at an epidemic rate of 22 suicides per day, the chains of stigma must be broken. This book is a reflection of Sam Rhodes’s personal experiences; he wears the proverbial tee-shirt. One doesn’t experience life without experiencing life-changing events. It’s how one handles those changes that counts. This book addresses ways to handle those changes to effect a positive outcome.” Charles T. Jones Colonel, KYARNG Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel “CSM Rhodes carried the hidden wounds of three combat tours inside him when he returned to Fort Benning to serve as the CSM of the Infantry School Training Brigade. After much soul-searching and anguish, he finally realized and publicly acknowledged that he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In doing so, he realized that part of his healing needed to include a concerted effort on his part to ‘give back’ to the extended family he had come to know so well, his fellow Soldiers and their families, and to confront the issues plaguing him.” Philip R. Tilly, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Ret)

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Sam Rhodes Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Samuel M. Rhodes retired from the Army in January, 2009, after 29 years of service, including three tours in Iraq. During his Army career, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star 1st Oak Leaf, the Legion of Merit, and seven Meritorious Service Medals. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2005, he was one of the first senior leaders in the military to openly state that he had issues with mental health, as a result of his war experiences. While dealing with his own struggles, Mr. Rhodes has worked tirelessly to encourage Soldiers and veterans to address their psychological problems and seek immediate help for them. His relentless commitment to his fellow warriors and their families has not only saved lives, but has helped them and society to overcome the stigma associated with mental health issues. For his personal courage and outstanding efforts, Mr. Rhodes has received numerous accolades, including those from Chief of Staff of the Army, General George W. Casey, and Sergeant Major of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston. In addition, in 2009, Lockheed Martin presented their Community Service and Global Excellence Award for Building Effective Relationships to Mr. Rhodes, honoring him for the great contributions he had made to the community. Currently, Mr. Rhodes is employed by the Army at Ft. Benning, Georgia, as the Program Manager for Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness. He is the founder and CEO of Warrior Outreach, Inc. and the author of Changing the Military Culture of Silence. Mr. Rhodes and his wife, Cathy, reside near Columbus, Georgia, and have six children and seven grandchildren.