DALLAS, TX—
Vietnam Veteran, Frank Filipponi, who volunteers at the his local VFW, is feeling like his life is finally on track. It wasn't so good as a young man just out of the marines, when he says his life was in shambles. "My life was on a downhill slide", says the Irving Grandfather. "I went through a lot of dark days".Filipponi says his memories of war haunted his every waking moment and even his dreams. It wasn't until years after leaving the battles behind that he was diagnosed with PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder. "It answered a lot of questions because I kept thinking I was a bad person".
Troops serving in today's wars don't have to wait years to get help. They can get ahead of their inner demons, sooner with a new $125 million dollar program, called the Soldier's Comprehensive Fitness Program. The program rolled out October 1st and is an online survey, done in private. Troops answer questions about mental, emotional and spiritual health.
University of North Texas professor, Dr. Sharon Jenkins, who has studied PTSD is applauding the Army's proactive approach. She says the confidentiality may help eliminate stigma for soldiers. "being able to go online and find out information can help them feel not so alone in this".
Army officials say as soon as the program is up and running it will be mandatory for soldiers and optional for their families. They say it is not a medical or suicide prevention program, but a readiness plan. Some believe it may help prevent tragedies before they occur.
