Veteran wants to help others struggling with post-traumatic stress

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The issue of post-traumatic stress among our troops has become a growing concern.

Eyewitness News met one military veteran, Dr. Tara Dixon, who served in the combat zone. She struggled after not only treating soldiers’ physical wounds, but also learning about sexual assaults in the military.

Now, she's hoping to become a voice for soldiers who are afraid to have one.

“It took me a long time to get help because I was embarrassed about it, and I didn't want to embarrass the military or my family,” she said.

Dixon struggles with post-traumatic stress. Serving overseas as a surgeon, she treated bomb victims, saw soldiers who'd committed suicide and counseled servicewomen raped by our own men. It shook her to the core.

“Utter hopelessness. And I felt like that I couldn't go on being an embarrassment, being weak, and that it would be better just to kill myself,” she said.

The attempt to take her own life left her in intensive care. But now, she's fighting her way back to raise awareness -- to tell other military it's OK to talk about your problems.

“If you reach out for help, help is available,” Dixon said. “That allows me to do something, to give back so that there won't be as many people like me.”

As part of her effort, Dixon joined Therapy in the Air for combat-injured troops.

Through sky-diving, the nonprofit helps free veterans from mental, physical and emotional wounds.

Dixon and other board members are also working with Patriot Charities, Charlotte Bridge Home and Purple Heart Homes.

“We help them with housing, we help them with financial assistance and mental health issues -- those invisible wounds,” Paula Broadwell said.

Dixon said the goal is for them to realize, just as she did, that soldiers can shake the stigma.

“I may have scars but I am not my scars,” she said. “The good news is that you can go on and you can do other things, and I'm hoping to go forward and let people know that you shouldn't be embarrassed about having PTSD.”

WSOC