Written by Cynthia Caron, President-Founder, LostNMissing Inc.
As President-Founder of LostNMissing Inc., I know first hand what families of missing endure when their son or daughter disappears. I also know statistically the high rate of well-rounded, loved, young adult males who have never exhibited any signs of emotional distress, nor dysfunctions growing up, who predominately are in College and one day simply vanish only to be located deceased and a very large majority due to suicide. Most common between 19-25, the very same age range that Bowe Bergdahl was when he wandered from his post. (Age 23 at the time of his leaving and capture.) However, as I suspected, Bowe did exhibit numerous emotional problems prior to entering the U.S. Army.
We have a "Leave No Man Behind" commitment for ALL our soldiers injured or captured at war. As a mother of a son in the US Navy, I would hope the very same would be done for my child. I am so very sorry for the families whose brave soldiers died in service while seeking the whereabouts of Bowe. No family wants to receive the devastating news that their loved one has been killed. With that said, I cannot rationalize how anyone can blame their deaths on Bowe's disappearance from his station.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters that he "did not know of specific circumstances or details of soldiers allegedly dying as a result of the efforts to find Bergdahl." In a CNN article, the following was said by Former Army Sgt. Evan Buetow, who was Bowe's former team leader, who elaborated on the accusations. "I can't say for a fact and I don't know if there is really anyone who can prove that soldiers died on a directed mission to find Bergdahl. However, every mission, especially in the following two or more months -- those were directed missions, everything after that, they were still missions that were in search of Bergdahl." I know that our hearts go out to all families when our Troops lose their lives but I personally cannot put blame on the fact that Bowe Bergdahl went missing as the cause of their deaths. I blame those that shot the rocket launchers, guns and planted IED's on the deaths of our soldiers. I know many may want to blame Bowe Bergdahl, perhaps even some of the families whose sons were killed and I only ask that people consider the following as, what I believe, happened to Bowe.
UNDERLYING PSYCHOSIS: Underlying psychosis, mental illness (which I prefer to call emotional disorders), Bipolar diagnosis, Depression, Schizophrenia, and even self-harm diagnosis such as anorexia, bulimia , self-mutilation through cutting, or burning, are all well known through psychiatric studies to occur at this same age-range, both male and female, and the majority are college students. Unfortunately, and most tragically, their young deaths left no warnings and families are left feeling numb, often with guilt and a forever loss has changed their lives forever only to never be the same. I believe, whether in the service or here in the USA, that some emotional distress took over Bowe Bergdahl and would have happened no matter where he was. The "pre-military" Bergdahl and the "post-military" Bergdahl exhibited complete opposite personalities and demeanors.
It is not widely published, nor acknowledged, regarding the same statistics affecting our young adults in the military as they more or less "tend and treat their own." I also believe this is why such a high rate of PTSD from our young military also exists.
While I am mainly presenting facts about suicide, I want to point out the same emotional psychosis of young adults who become missing, and located safely, and those who take their own lives, are having the same "emotional breakdowns." Some, luckily are located in time and able to receive psychological help. Others, not so lucky.
There are 4 male suicides for every 1 female suicide (CDC, AAS)
Studies show that the most common disorders among people who die by suicide are major depression and other mood disorders, and substance use disorders, schizophrenia and personality disorders (Bertolote & Fleischmann, 2002).
The overwhelming majority of people who die by suicide—90% or more—had a mental disorder at the time of their deaths. Often, however, these disorders had not been recognized, diagnosed, or adequately treated. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Psychological autopsy studies have also shown that about one-third of people who took their lives did not communicate their suicide intent to anyone. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Postmortem studies of the brains of people who have died by suicide have shown a number of visible differences in the brains of people who died by suicide, compare to those who died from other causes, suicide is a result of a disease of the brain (Mann & Currier, 2012).
DESERTION ? OR EMOTIONAL DISORDER?
It's commonly believed that if one is absent from the military for more than 30 days, they are "deserters." That's only partially true. Article 85 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)defines "desertion" as being absent from the unit (without authority) with the intent to remain away permanently, or being absent with the intent to avoid hazardous duty or shirk important service. (U.S. Military Desertion Rates; Rod Powers; 2005)
The word "intent" is important here. In order to support a finding of guilty by a court-martial for the offense of desertion, the military would have to prove (beyond a reasonable doubt) that the member intended to remain away permanently, or that the member's intent was to avoid hazardous duty or important service. (U.S. Military Desertion Rates; Rod Powers; 2005
http://www.ptsd.gov/
One in five veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is diagnosed with PTSD. (CBO, 2012)
Mental disorders are the leading cause of hospitalizations for active-duty forces. (Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center 2012 report.)
The recent increase in military suicides is the result of untreated mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder) and substance abuse rather than combat experience / number of deployments, according to an August 2013 study in JAMA.
More than 40 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans responding to a recent survey said they did not seek mental health care because of a perceived negative impact on their careers. (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America,Member Survey 2012)
So should we be shocked or surprised that Bowe Bergdahl more than probable became a statistic of suffering an emotional disorder that he had no control over? I say more than probable because I am not a psychiatrist, nor a clinician, but what I do know is the Bowe Bergdahl described Pre-service and Bowe described post-enlistment show clear variances among his demeanor, personality and actions.
Bowe Bergdal needed help...before he ever entered the Army.
This young man should never have been accepted into the U.S. Army. Do note he was discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard for psychological problems, prior,so why was he accepted into the U.S. Army?
(See link regarding Bowe Bergdahl's emotional status prior to going missing.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/bergdahls-writings-reveal-a-fragile-young-man/2014/06/11/fb9349fe-f165-11e3-bf76-447a5df6411f_story.html?wpisrc=al_comboPN
What I also know is that a healthy minded military male, (or female) in a war torn country with large terrorist cells is not going to walk away from his post and leave his weapons, clothing and personal items behind. This is an action done, just the same, as our young and brilliant college aged males, whose underlying emotional disorders surfaced, (while in college) and came to the breaking point due to the stressors of being away from home, intense studying, the need to "keep up" and the fears of disappointing family that drive them to just "wander off" and/or commit suicide. Keep in mind that most all college (and new military enlisted ) exhibit the same stressors but the difference between those who can manage and those who fall into the "emotional disorder category" are those who already had "hidden" mental health needs that exploded full force due to the stressors.
*Only 38% of U.S. adults with diagnosable mental illnesses receive needed treatment. With effective treatment, 70-90% of individuals with mental illness achieve an improved quality of life. (mentalhealth.gov)
The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back:
What many may not know is that after losing one of his close friends to an enemy bomb on June 25, 2009, Bowe Bergdahl simply dropped his weapon and “walked off the reservation" five days later on the night of June 30, 2009. We have yet to learn of the five years of torture that was done to him during his captivity. I believe this was his final breaking point.
Free. Or is he?
Bowe Bergdahl is now free. His parents, unlike many of ours at LostNMissing Inc., now have their needed answers and will be able to help care for their son. We can only pray that he receives the proper emotional care by professionals to help him overcome the traumas of what he endured in captivity...and proper care for his emotional disorders and whatever diagnosis that should have been made prior.
Politics
As for the politics behind Bowe's freedom, I cannot hold discord against President Obama as he orchestrated the return of a family's child, of one of our own...our soldier returned home. Yes, I do believe Congress should have been made aware...however, from all reporting there was no time. This is and was a decision of our President and while I may not agree with a lot of Obama's policies and views...this is one I stand behind him...as a parent of a son in the service and as a mother.
Welcome home, Bowe Bergdahl. May you find strength and healing in the best land possible...the United States of America.
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