Pittsburghers Screen New Documentary Offering Uncensored Look At PTSD
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh was the latest stop in a national, 10-city tour for the screening of a film called "That Which I Love Destroys Me."
The film is an uncensored look at the mental health issues and PTSD among returning service men and women. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a fancy name for something that's been around for a long time.
"This has been around as long as there has been war," said Rep. Tim Murphy. "You can't see the kinds of hideous things of war without being affected. It will break anybody "
That's why Congressman Murphy worked as a consultant on the film project. It follows the lives of two Army veterans who struggle to return to daily life after war.
It follows former U.S. Army Ranger Jayson Floyd and his friend Tyler Grey who was an Army Special Ops operative.
"We are here to change the conversation," says Ben Keen, the executive director of Steel City Vets. "We are here to take it away from 'woe is me veteran' to 'hey, I'm a veteran and we are strong and we are here and we are going to be here.'"
Jayson came to realize help was available, and he encourages other vets to see the film to learn from their stories.
"What every veteran goes through when they come back is completely normal," he says. "So the message is to normalize the process the veterans go through."
Congressman Murphy, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and has extensive experience working with PTSD, says the movie is not just for veterans.
"Whether you are a soldier or the family of a fireman, a policeman or EMT person or just someone who has faced trauma in your life, these are inspirational stories to see. That if these guys can make it, I can make it," said Congressman Murphy. "And I want our veterans, who are very often reticent, to go out and get help, to go out and see this and realize they can get help, they can get better, and their life can turn around."
The movie is available on Google Play and Apple iTunes and it will be streaming for free on Memorial Day.
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