A Petaluma360 Blog

Peters Perspective

Thrive in today's world

Now You See What I See

Tuesday, at 9:37 by

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a study on suicide among adults aged 35 to 64 years, based on National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) mortality data from 1999 to 2010.  On May 2, 2013, the Wall Street Journal reviewed the CDC study in an article by Timothy Martin titled, “Suicides Soar in Past Decade”.  “The number of deaths caused by suicide has risen precipitously in the last decade,” Martin writes, and adults aged 35 to 64… Read More »

A Priceless Souvenir

Monday, at 7:58 by

Last week, I had the privilege to attend the Navy SEAL graduation ceremonies at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, California.  It was one of the high points of my life.  At the invitation of Admiral Ray Smith, USN Retired, former SEAL commander, I witnessed a momentous rite of passage for some of our country’s future heroes.  The event was marked, for me, by the personal connections I observed between the commanding officers and the newest members of this… Read More »

Military Suicide and Military Families: Part 3

Saturday, at 3:01 by

Military suicides happen far too often.  Alarming statistics from studies of suicide by active duty service members and veterans both paint a tragic picture.  The years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, the multiple deployments, have taken their physical and emotional tolls.  Over the last few months, I’ve kept this issue in the forefront of my blog posts.  Lately, I’ve highlighted a side to military suicide about which few studies have been done and statistics are largely unavailable: suicide by… Read More »

Military Suicide and Military Families: Part 2

Sunday, at 5:33 by

In my last post I sought to bring attention to an overlooked aspect of the current tragedy of military suicide – suicide within military families.  While hard statistics are unavailable at this time, anecdotal evidence indicates elevated levels of suicides and suicide attempts by military spouses, due to high levels of stress and secondary trauma. I quoted two military wives – Ms. Deborah Mullen, wife of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and retired Navy Admiral Mike Mullen,… Read More »

Military Suicide and Military Families: Part 1

Friday, at 9:16 by

Today I want to return to the topic of military suicide and discuss a different and sadly overlooked side to this tragedy.  Yes, active duty service members and veterans are taking their lives at alarming rates, but suicide within service member and veteran families – among spouses in particular – is happening as well. Two voices have recently spoken up about this underreported issue.  Deborah Mullen, wife of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and retired Navy Admiral… Read More »

Surprising Findings on Postwar PTSD

Saturday, at 3:59 by

A recent op-ed piece in the New York Times by Anthony D. Mancini reported surprising and disturbing preliminary findings from a military PTSD study soon to be published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.  Mancini, an assistant professor of psychology at Pace University, and his colleagues set out to examine the stress responses of over 7000 United States service members, pre- and post-deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.  The verdict?  “Fewer than 7 percent showed signs of PTSD following deployment”, and… Read More »

Military Suicides and Unemployment

Sunday, at 6:24 by

Many factors contribute to the current unacceptably high rates of military suicide.  I’ve written before about a recent policy brief by Dr. Margaret Harrell and Nancy Berglass of the Center for a New American Security, “Losing the Battle: The Challenge of Military Suicide”, which identifies several causes and recommendations for this unfolding tragedy.  Combat injuries, including such invisible wounds as PTSD and traumatic brain injury; mental health issues such as depression and anxiety; other symptoms of trauma such as sleep… Read More »

The Season of Light

Saturday, at 6:10 by

Two thousand eleven is drawing to a close.  For many of us – and I include myself – this has been a difficult year of losses, changes, and transitions.  But my 2011 has also been an important year of opportunities and growth.  I hope you have found this to be true in your life, as well.   In this season of celebration, I wish each and every one of you these blessings: Faith – in someone or something bigger than… Read More »

Military Suicide: Part 3

Sunday, at 6:45 by

The Center for a New American Security recently published an in-depth study of suicide within the United States armed forces.  “Losing the Battle: The Challenge of Military Suicide”, by Dr. Margaret C. Harrell and Nancy Berglass, presents an overview, statistics, analysis, and recommendations to help address a growing tragedy – our nation’s combat personnel and veterans are taking their own lives at significantly accelerating rates.  Harrell and Berglass challenge all branches of the military (from top commanders to unit leaders),… Read More »

Military Suicides: Part 2

Saturday, at 6:58 by

Today begins an in-depth look into a study on military suicide recently released by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).  According to their website, CNAS is an “independent and nonpartisan research institution”, which “develops strong, pragmatic and principled national security and defense policies.” CNAS is the only Washington think tank led by veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It has conducted research on military wellness since 2008 because CNAS believes keeping our forces physically and emotionally… Read More »