Almost 20 percent of U.S. soldiers returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression, which translates into 300,000 soldiers – or roughly one out of every five soldiers – returning home from war¹. The number of troops diagnosed with PTSD also rose about 50 percent in 2007².

The Ghost Rider Foundation (GRF) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to assist veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have PTSD. PTSD is categorized as an anxiety disorder by the American Psychiatric Association and is characterized by an individual’s re-experiencing of an extremely traumatic event³.

The GRF was founded in memory of a United States Marine Corps veteran who took his own life during an acute episode of PTSD. His family and friends hope this can be prevented from happening again through education and assistance for veterans, their families, and the general public.

GRF seeks to help veterans in two ways:

1. To educate the public about PTSD in order to change the negative perceptions of PTSD, which are evident in and promoted by the media.
   

Since the symptoms associated with PTSD were given a psychiatric classification after the Vietnam War, much of the media attention surrounding PTSD has been in a negative light because of the overall stigma surrounding mental disorders. The GRF hopes to educate the public about PTSD to remove preconceived notions about the disorder so that veterans do not avoid seeking treatment because of possible social repercussions.

2. To be an informational resource about treatment and facilities available to assist in the recovery of veterans diagnosed with PTSD, as well as a resource for their families. The GRF also intends on providing financial aid to veterans seeking treatment.
   

A study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that nearly half of the military service members surveyed didn't know the warning signs of mental illness, and one-quarter knew nothing at all about effective treatments⁴. The GRF is designed to facilitate the process of those looking for information about all aspects of PTSD, from its symptoms to its treatment. Having an organization with easily accessible information as well as peers who can recommend programs or offer help can prove beneficial to veterans who might be apprehensive about approaching the government directly.

The Ghost Rider Foundation is registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Ohio and has federal 501(c-3) status pending. This foundation is not associated with or a part of any governmental, military or health care delivery network or institution.

Join the GRF email list!!

BRING THEM ALL THE WAY HOME

FOOTNOTES

1. Tanielian, Terri, and Lisa H. Jaycox, eds. Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery. California Community Foundation. Santa Monica: RAND Corporation, 2008. 26 June 2008 <http://www.rand.org/news/press/2008/04/17/>.
2. Jelinek, Pauline. "Wartime PTSD Cases Jumped Roughly 50 Pct. in 2007." The Associated Press 27 May 2008. 26 June 2008 <http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iqiLEY4i8YycHh01DCVJ3SC26vHwD90UFCI80>.
3. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. 4th ed. Washington D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
4. Kingsbury, Kathleen. "Stigma Keeps Troops From PTSD Help." Time 1 May 2008. 26 June 2008 <http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1736618,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics>.