'Camp Hope' for Veterans with PTSD

HOUSTON - It's a hidden epidemic: military veterans committing suicide at a startling rate.

Returning troops suffering the invisible wounds of PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, need three main things to heal: family counseling, a job and a place to live.

Now just in time for Veterans Day, the PTSD Foundation of America is turning a five acre site in northwest Harris County into interim housing.

It's called "Camp Hope."

"They've (veterans) heard if they come to Houston, they're going to get help," said David Maulsby, director of operations for the foundation that's based in Houston.

An army of volunteers is renovating modular buildings into apartments where veterans with PTSD will temporarily live while they undergo counseling.

Currently the foundation is paying to house veterans in extended say motels and mobile home parks around Houston.

"It's a downward spiral veterans go through when they begin to suffer," said Doug Brown with Greystar Real Estate, the company that's taken the lead in supporting the foundation's housing initiative.

U.S. Army veteran Ray Zavadil believes he's been suffering from PTSD since 2005 but only recently became aware of it.

"As far as triggers, it can be smells for me. We ran the roads a lot over there, and I find still today just driving is difficult for me here," he said.

This year Zavadil entered treatment after returning home from his fourth deployment in six years. He was consumed by anger and flashbacks.

"My wife and I separated. I had no money, couldn't get a job. I basically had nothing. For a week I was sleeping in my truck," said Zavadil.

He turned to the PTSD Foundation of America.

"The Centers for Disease Control stated the best estimate is 18 suicides a day from the veteran community," said Maulsby.

Dozens of companies have donated labor and supplies to help the foundation develop "Camp Hope," a place where the walking wounded can live together instead of in isolation.

"Hopefully we can be there to help them find jobs to get their feet back on the first rung of the ladder to reenter society," said Brown.

Three months ago Greystar gave Zavadil a job. He's a construction manager helping to oversee Camp Hope.

"Being able to see where I'm helping give back is very therapeutic. It does wonders for me," said Zavadil.

Eventually there will be temporary housing for 60 veterans, but the need is only expected to grow.

"I think we're facing a tsunami like we've never seen before, and if we don't step up as a community and support the VA and other organizations, there are not enough bridges in Houston to house the troops that will be looking to keep their heads dry," said Maulsby.

If you would like to donate to the Camp Hope project contact Doug Brown at 713-479-8918 or dbrown@greystar.

The Foundation is also working to create a website for companies to post job openings and for Veterans to post resumes. www.ptsdUSA.org