Army Mom on Post Traumatic Stress and Suicide

Valerie Pallotta is an Army mom, whose son Josh deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. After returning home, Josh suffered with Post Traumatic Stress for several years. Unfortunately he lost that battle in 2014. Valerie talks about that battle and what she’s been doing now to help make sure other veterans have the resources they need to get through their own struggles. Her number one piece of advice if you notice a loved one is struggling with post traumatic stress is to ask their friends to reach out to them. Often times the individual won’t want to talk about their troubles with a spouse, a parent, or other family. They may be more willing to talk to a friend about it though. Links & Resources Josh Pallotta Fund Blue Star Mothers of Vermont Clay Hunt Act Veteran Barn Door Project Episode 20: Using The Outdoors as a Healthier Coping Mechanism Episode 21: The VFW – Not Your Grandpa’s Drinking Club Episode 25: Soldier And Educator On Resiliency Transcript Scott DeLuzio:    00:03    Thanks for tuning in to the Drive On Podcast where we talk about issues affecting veterans after they get out of the military. Before we get started, I’d like to ask a favor if you haven’t done so already, please rate and review the show on Apple podcasts. If you’ve already done that, thank you. These ratings help the show get discovered so it can reach a wider audience and while you’re there, click the subscribe button so that you get notified of new episodes as soon as they come out. If you don’t use Apple podcasts, you can visit DriveOnPodcasts.com/subscribe to find other ways of subscribing, including our emails. I’m your host Scott DeLuzio and now let’s get on with the show. Scott DeLuzio:    00:44    Hey everyone. Today my guest is Valerie Pallotta:. Valerie’s son Josh served with my brother Steven in the Vermont Army National Guard. Josh was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 and upon returning home he struggled with some physical injuries as well as post-traumatic stress. Valerie is here today to talk with us about some of the struggles her son went through and what she’s doing now to help other veterans who are struggling the way Josh did. Valerie, I’m truly grateful that you’re willing to share your story. Welcome to the show.  Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself and your son, Josh. Valerie Pallotta:    01:20    Thanks Scott. I really appreciate being here and the time you’ve given me to talk about Josh. As you said, I’m Josh’s mom. Valerie Pallotta:    01:33    I don’t know if you want me to talk a little bit about his background and growing up but he was a pretty determined kid ever since he was little. He started to ride his bike and he spent all day learning how to ride his bike. He actually mastered it in one day. He was pretty determined in high school. He wanted to play lacrosse and they didn’t have a lacrosse team at the high school he was in. So, he and I went to the athletic director and got the approval to start a lacrosse team and they said you just need to come up with the names of kids to play and here’s how many kids you need. And he said, okay, I can do it. And he went and did it and we went to the Superintendent and then he approved it. Valerie Pallotta:    02:18    Colchester High School had the lacrosse team and he was just pretty determined and s...