Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Proving Deadly for Veterans, Soldiers

Out of the Shadows and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, are joining forces to make an impact on the lives of our nation’s heroes. Sunday, July 29, has been proclaimed Post-traumatic Stress Day, in an effort to raise awareness of the symptoms and the resources available to soldiers and veterans whose lives are affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“PTSD affects nearly one in five veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan alone, and the current suicide rates among active duty service members have sky rocketed to one reported suicide a day. It is frightening to note that this statistic does not include the National Guard, Reservists or Veterans,” said Bob Mullen, Vietnam Veteran and Founder of Out of the Shadows.

“Our goal at Out of the Shadows is to offer support and education to those who have fought bravely for our nation,” said Mullen. “We have tools and resources readily available to soldiers nationwide to help them identify and rise above their PTSD, to help them face their lives again after combat.”

As part of Post-traumatic Stress Day, Out of the Shadows has organized a fundraiser to help provide free resources to people who suffer from PTSD, including the book The Five Lessons. Participants from across the United States will climb Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s most difficult 14,000-foot mountains, in order to help draw attention to how deadly PTSD can be and ensure those affected can have access to help for free. All have raised pledges for each foot of the 14,259-foot mountain they climb.

Climbers who have accepted the challenge include: four veterans of the Vietnam War, ranging in age from 69 to 73; a veteran from both Iraq wars, OIF and OEF; a number of climbers from Steamboat; and a team from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, led by David Melon, a member of the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Macalester team is climbing in memory of Clovis Ray, a football team member who died in Afghanistan.

For more information on Out of the Shadows or PTSD, or to access a copy of The Five Lessons please visit www.outoftheshadowsvets.com.