Disqus - Latest Comments for afohara

Re: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/04/24/police-ptsd-still-not-getting-the-help-they-need

afohara — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:32:01 -0000

Research shows that 15 to 18 percent of police officers are suffering from undiagnosed PTSD, yet continue working the streets. Years and decades of facing death and carnage take a huge toll in this toxic job. Suicides are hidden in the closet, especially when they are the result of the job. We KNOW there are more—but they are concealed whenever possible in order to hide the problem.

Instead of patronizing statements and ignoring the problem, it's time for departments to begin taking care of their officers and help them survive the emotional beatings they receive every day. The programs are there and virtually free--but ignored. How many more of our men and women in uniform must we lose to wake up the leaders of these departments?

Re: http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/11/09/ex-cop-battles-breast-cancer-fact-and-fiction

afohara — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:43:39 -0000

One can't say enough for Mr. Platt for reaching out beyond himself to see that word of this disease gets out to other men. I thank him and will pay heed, and appreciate his doing this for me. I hope many others will do the same.

Re: http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/07/17/new-partner-keeps-former-cop-going

afohara — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:33:58 -0000

A marvelous story. Peter Platt shows that life does not end for those with a disability (which includes mental illnesses like PTSD). Through his work, he's doing much to draw attention to the incredible value of service dogs to soldiers, police officers and others who suffer from these disorders. Thank you, Peter!

Re: California budget remains stalled over weekend

afohara — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:19:05 -0000

I think you misread the figure. Were it not for Prop 13, you would now both be paying twenty thousand a year in taxes :)

It would be, um, fair--or so they used to say.

Re: California budget remains stalled over weekend

afohara — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:42:42 -0000

You don't know the history behind Prop 13. Were it not for Prop 13 going through, you would BOTH be paying $20,000.

Re: Cnylink Local News: Police suicide: National statistics are staggering

afohara — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:42:54 -0000

50 states :)

Re: Cnylink Local News: Police suicide: National statistics are staggering

afohara — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:21:39 -0000

The numbers cited in this article for police suicide are totally unverifiable and exaggerated. The person citing them will not give any evidence of their veracity. John Violanti, PhD, and I recently completed a comprehensive study of police suides that included all 58 states for the entire year of 2008 and found that a correct, verifiable number is 141 suicides per year, not this inflated 450. Ours was an exhaustive study and based on solid data which we provide for all to see.

The paper is about to be published. Anyone wishing to know some valid information on police suicides is encouraged to contact us and request to receive a copy as soon as it is released. We are at badgeoflife@yahoo.com, or our website is at www.BadgeOfLife.com

Re: Deceased Officer's family to lose $130,000

afohara — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:00:38 -0000

Other than a quick comment that they saw no "signs of depression," has the department looked closely at this case to see if there was a history of high stress, critical incident trauma or PTSD in this officer's history that may have contributed to a suicide? Too many police suicides are dismissed as "undetermined," accidental," or "personal reasons" when they might well have been related to what has been called an occupation of "death, carnage and hostility."

Departments are often reluctant to look at this, but if it were, in fact, attributable to his work, it could make all the difference for the family, emotionally and financially. It should at least be looked at closely.