Separation due to depression/anxiety

[DJ]

My son spent a couple of nites in the psych ward having problems with meds and sleeping...and they said they more than likely will put him in for separation discharge....Does anyone know approximately how long it takes from start to finish for him to get home.??? the doc said 4-6 weeks...his chief said 4-6 months....He will NOT last 4-6 more months....Please

[tina]

it takes sometimes up to 3 weeks to process out depending on where is he at. I know how long it takes for bootcamp but if in A school or a ship not sure.

[DJ]

He is in A school - Great Lakes ....Thank you

[Polly]

Dear DJ,

Our son Evan went off to Great Lakes on December 16, 2008. He disclosed( after 48 hours of no sleep) that he had received mental health services and had been treated for anxiety, bi-polar illness and depression a few years ago. the Navy said he was no longer qualified to serve in the US Navy. They sent him home about three weeks laster. He lived in Ship 17 and was made an Assistant Master of Arms while he was there. I think he grew from the experience although it was a dissappointment for him. I belive there are phone numbers on the Ship 17 site that you can call if he gives permission for the medical staff or chief to talk to you. I believe in the power of prayer and believe God has a plan for every one. Hang in there and trust he will be OK. I'm a survivor of clinical deprssion and understand how emotionally painful it is.

Take good care of yourself during this difficult time. Polly

[renee fajardo-anstine]

It took my son about 4 weeks....and this was after the X-mas holidays....be strong this is not the end of the world....and things happen for a reason...4-6 months is only if he has medical issues they are responsible for...
Ship 17 is much better than it was and your son will be alright no matter how long...just hang tight and be supportive for him....the Navy is not for every one and a medical discharge is not like one for a criminal record....
my son is doing well and employeed...looking at college..it will be ok...

[Linda Jarrett]

Hang in there, your son might have to spend longer than normal time if he's put in the hospital. It all depends on how he responds to medications that they are giving him. Once he gets to Ship 17, now Ship 5 it shouldn't take more than 4 weeks for him to be released. No one can say how long it's really going to take without knowing why he's in the Psych ward and what he's being given medications for. My son was released for depression, ADHD, Mood disorder, high irritability, anxiety and sleep disorder but they did not put him on any medication. I called legal and they are great to talk to. You need to get more information on all the reasons he's in the psych ward but he has to give written permission for them to talk to you.

Best of luck and we are all thinking of you. Once he gets to ship 17 now 5 he will have a lot more freedom. He will be bored as well so if you can find some magazines that he likes be sure to send them to him. It will help him pass the time. I sent my son 5 and I think he memorized them in a couple of weeks.

[DrG]

Need some info If you have it.... Our recruit son Remington has been diagnosed with an episode of schizophrenia brought on be severe sleep deprvation at RTC and now ongoing insomnia. He is in the psyche ward at the VA at Great Lakes. He is on meds and always "grogy". Need to know about how how long before he gets home & will the Navy send him home by air, bus, ??? Also we were told he couldn't get a care package with books or mags... True?? What about clothes to get home? Is he still getting his pay?? Any benefits for this type of seperation/discharge??

Need some answers...

Parents

[sharon]

I'm so sorry for your son's problems. I found it easier to go into the regular thread/comment section of this group for answers.It has been pretty active.My son just came home yesterday. He wasn't in separations for that reason, he came home after one week there. I did see the average stay is 20days. He will get 2 phone calls a week, and any more that he "earns". He can talk longer without inturuptions if he calls from the legal office. My sons never received any mail there in 10days. Even tho I sent out daily. Not sure why. He came home in the navy t and sweat suit. They take all other clothes from them.They still get their pay. but they take alot out for the clothing. Also look up the links on the page for codes a sep. status. Hope this helps,

[Sally]

My son was medically separated from the Navy last October as a Sailor. He has kept in contact with several of his buddies. He was treated a little differently because he was a sailor and not a recruit. My understanding now is that they keep sailors on the the A school side not on the recruit side and it is a much better situation. Because my son was a sailor, once his separation was complete he was flown home. He was dressed in his "blues" and United bumped him up to first class. It was a bittersweet. He is working now in a great job and recouperating from his injury. Best wishes to you and your son!

[DJ]

Thank you so much for the info....all the info I did receive was so appreciated, but seemed to be geared towards recruits...My son is also a sailor and he has told me he would not go to SHip (5) and would also be flown home and even get to keep some of his GI bill...he is looking forward to getting his Masters Degree...He already has a BA....so maybe this is the best route for him...it could be a blessing in disguise....Thanks again!!!

[Sally]

DJ Just wondering how long your son has been in the Navy? Even though my son was injured in the Navy and was a sailor he received no benefits after his separation. He received a thousand dollar bonus for excelling in his PST and they are requiring him to pay that back ($50 a month). They promised him physical therapy but because he was in the Navy less than 6 months he received nothing. We had to get him medical insurance that would not cover his injury since it was preexisting. Your son will be fine. Mine also has his BA and is doing great. Just wanted to give you a heads up on the 6 month time limit for benefits. You can have your son check in to it more to see if it still applies. Good Luck

[DJ]

Hi Sally,

Thanks for the info. My son has been in the Navy for about 8 months, so we're not sure about benefits. Unfortunately, we STILL have not heard anything. He did go to see the doctor this week and they said in his file it stated he was being separated, but not one person has actually spoken to him about it. I think the hardest part for him is not knowing if his paperwork is being processed and if in reality he is being discharged. He wouldn't even mind waiting longer, if he just knew something....I hope he gets some info this upcoming week. He did call legal, and they said they had nothing on him....very frustrating. I'm sure it's different for every sailor, but how did the process go for your son....mine is still in "A" school and nothing has changed, except for medical appointments. Thanks again for everything...DJ

[DJ]

Thank you, my son is a Sailor as well, at TSC - A school....Can you tell me how long the process took for you son to come home?