VA reverses therapy session decision

Some veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder received some welcome news today — their mental health support group will not take a hiatus as they had expected.

About 30 veterans and their family gathered at Veterans Memorial Park Wednesday afternoon ready to protest the month long break from group therapy sessions, but learned they had nothing to object to after all.

“Take this as a victory,” Russell Vossler, a certified peer specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, said. “You guys get to continue your treatment.”

 Veterans Affairs, which provides an array of services to veterans, told its Tulare and Fresno group therapy participants last week that in the wake of its therapist leaving, they would have to rely on each other to develop a support system.

The veterans, who are learning coping skills, feared that a break in treatment would have detrimentally affected their ability to deal with post-traumatic stress in the long term. Their objection to the recess prompted the South Valley Clinic to change its stance on Tuesday.

“You shouldn’t stop treatment in any recovery group,” participant James Mellow, of Earlimart, said.

Mellow, a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, tried an eight week recovery program that he said yielded absolutely no benefits for him. With the on-going group therapy treatment he has been using since then, however, he has learned to deal with anger issues that were once a hardship on his family.

He served in the Vietnam War and Iraqi War, a total of 38 years, before seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is an anxiety disorder that can occur after people have experienced a traumatic event, such as military combat, when people believe their life is in danger and have no control over what is happening.

Group therapy is one type of treatment. It allows those suffering from the disorder to talk about the trauma with others who have had similar experiences. Officials say that sharing stories subsequently helps veterans cope with symptoms, memories and other parts of life, and deal with emotions such as rage, guilt and fear.

“This is the worst time of year for veterans,” Vossler said. “Holidays remind them of their time overseas.”

Vossler is a volunteer who shares the same feelings as those he helps treats. He and a psychiatrist will continue to lead group therapy sessions.

“This is the best step we’ve seen so far,” Mellow said.   

Contact Jenna Chandler at 784-5000, Ext. 1050, or jchandler@portervillerecorder.com.