Experts hope recent tragedy shines light on PTSD

SEATTLE -- Friends and family of the man who killed a park ranger on Sunday say he likely suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We'll never know if Benjamin Barnes snapped from that stress, but experts say we can learn from the tragedy and work to prevent it from happening again.

Recent studies show that one in every five veterans suffer from stress or depression, but medical professionals emphasize that few veterans back from deployment will reach a level of stress that leads to the catastrophic violence seen on Mount Rainier this weekend.

It was New Year's Day that Barnes, a military veteran, shot and killed Park Ranger Margaret Anderson.

That was just the latest in a string of incidents where veterans suffering from post combat stress killed themselves or others.

Merinda McLaren noticed her son was suffering when he returned from two consecutive tours in Iraq, and she refused to give up her fight to get him the help he needed.

"Listen," McLaren said. "Really listen, not just to the pieces you want to hear."

McLaren said the help is there, you just have to reach out for it.

Kevin St. Jacques, an Air Force veteran and Doctor of Psychology with Sound Mental Health, said you will see subtle signs that something's not right. If a parent or friend sees those sings, St. Jacques said they should step in and offer comfort, support and help, but never be accusatory.

"The individual already knows that there's something not right," he said. "And pointing the finger to that is like putting salt in the wound."

McLaren echoes those sentiments.

"Don't threaten them, don't give them ultimatums," she said. "They don't want that, they don't need that."
      
St. Jacques even suggests family members go to doctors appointments with the struggling veteran.

But former Marine Sgt Julia Sheriden, now a volunteer with Disabled American Veterans, said not everyone finds help with doctors or counselors.

"For one person they might feel comfortable just talking to a priest, because they know their pastor or priest can't ever say anything about what they're talking about," she said.
  
Regardless of economic background, help is available for all veterans who need it.