Dr. Kathy Platoni

GO USA!

Did you know we have ten Soldiers competing in Paris on behalf of Team USA 🇺🇸?

These incredible athletes have put in the work as service members and Soldiers and are ready to show the world what Be All You Can Be looks like.

We've posted the names of the competitors in the comments. ⤵️

The 2019 Oregon District Mass Shooting, Dayton, Ohio

It was five urgent alert calls from Dayton SWAT in the very early hours of August 4, 2019, that awakened me, out of town on active-duty military status, to abject horror. The words, “There are bodies all over the street. Nine dead. Get here now!” will reverberate in my brain for all my days to come.
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Kathy Platoni

Dr. Kathy Platoni: The Heart of Dayton's Community Support Network

Dayton, OH, March 20, 2024 - Dr. Kathy Platoni, a beacon of resilience and support, has once again been honored with the prestigious 2024 Best of Dayton Award in the Clinical Psychologists category by the Dayton Award Program. This marks her fifth consecutive year receiving this esteemed recognition.

The Dayton Award Program annually identifies exceptional individuals who exemplify outstanding dedication and service within their local community. Dr. Platoni embodies the essence of community spirit, serving as a pillar of strength where police, first responders, and veterans turn for guidance and assistance.
Following her experience as a survivor of the tragic Fort Hood Massacre in 2009, Dr. Platoni emerged as a fervent advocate for the victims and their families, tirelessly campaigning for the recognition of the incident as an act of terrorism. Her efforts led to the long-overdue acknowledgment of wounded Soldiers and fallen heroes through the awarding of the Purple Heart Medal.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Platoni has garnered numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from her alma mater, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and the prestigious Dayton’s Ten Top Women Award in 2012.
Her unwavering commitment to community service and volunteerism earned her the Legacy Award in 2013 and the Legion of Merit from the United States Army in 2014.

In recognition of her exceptional contributions, Dr. Platoni was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2019 and received the Ford Oval of Honor Award in 2020. Her dedication to psychological support for returning Veterans earned her the IVAT Returning Veterans Resiliency in Response to Trauma Award in 2016.

Retired from the 4th Civil Support and Sustainment Brigade, Ohio Military Reserve, in 2021 after six years of dedicated service, Dr. Platoni will be continuing her mission as the retiree psychologist for the Ohio Naval Militia/State Defense Forces, now in her 41st year of military service.

Dr. Platoni's remarkable contributions have earned her consecutive Best of Dayton Psychologists award in 2020, culminating in her induction into the Dayton Business Hall of Fame each year, 2021-2024. Additionally, she was honored with induction into the Greene County Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2022.

The Dayton Award Program takes great pride in recognizing Dr. Platoni's unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of others. Her exemplary service embodies the spirit of community and enriches the fabric of Dayton, making it a better place for all who call it home.

"The gratitude that we direct to our authors is matchless for all of our issues. Each and every one of them delivers a message unlikely to be found in any other publication.

How very fortunate we are for the collective written words that grace our pages, from both seasoned writers of books and professional journal articles, to those who have never before penned words that strike such powerful and provocative words.

We thank them one and all for both their amazing authorship and the gifts of such magnificent contributions." ~ Kathy Platoni

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The American Institute of Stress

"As a survivor of the 2009 Fort Hood Massacre, I live with tremendous survivor guilt, but have found a cure. I have been very blessed by the opportunity to provide services to 40 police departments and seven fire departments. I do this seven days a week. This work has become my reason for being."
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VOICES: So many of us continue to struggle for years, for decades, for a lifetime Forty of my 42 years as a clinical psychologist were spent in uniform. The US Army got the very best of me over the course of four deployments in time of war. Given the opportunity, I would do it all over again.

Our issues and our authors continue to be unsurpassed. It is high time to toot the horns of all those who are willing to write for Combat Stress many times over. That such gifted writers continue to seek us out or to respond to our requests to pen their incredible pieces of their written word is very clearly a blessing that keeps on giving. Thanks are most likely insufficient here.

Please share. It might be the one thing that makes a difference.

https://www.stress.org/wp-content/themes/Avada-child/lib/3d-flip-book/3d-flip-book/?mag_id=81272&token=15067

Kathy Platoni

Dr. Kathy Platoni Dr. Platoni is a much sought-after speaker who travels throughout the country to share her experiences concerning the psychological impact and moral injuries of war, alternative approaches to the treatment of PTSD. As a survivor of the November 2009 Fort Hood Massacre, she also lectures widely on su...

The turf battle between CISM and peer support has gained considerable traction over the last few years, at least in terms of the first responder community’s use of crisis management services.

In a perfect world, the best fit is for these two models to complement one another, but it appears that the listening ears for this premise have disappeared.

The reasons for disfavor falling upon all things CISM remains elusive at this point in time, though it does appear to stem from outside than the mental health community in more recent times.

Kathy Platoni
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation

CISM VERSUS PEER SUPPORT CISM VERSUS PEER SUPPORT By: Kathy Platoni, Psy.D., DAAPM, FAIS Clinical Psychologist COL (RET), US Army Veteran, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (JTF-GTMO and Afghanistan) Dayton SWAT Editor, Combat Stress…

It's been bee-zy at the office! 🐝🐝🐝🐝 Thank you SavetheBees.com and Empire Termite & Pest Control

Un-bee-leviable: Bee hive takes over Montgomery County business, owner decides to ‘save the bees’

https://news.yahoo.com/un-bee-leviable-bee-hive-012321000.html

WHIO 🎦
Kathy Platoni

"If you see something, take it up the chain of command," Dr. Kathy Platoni

DMAX Plant Shooting: Mental health impacts could linger for workers after shooting The DMAX manufacturing plant in Moraine was closed Friday following Thursday night’s shooting.

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Dr. Kathy Platoni
The American Institute of Stress

"For the 4th year in a row, Dr. Kathy Platoni has been selected for the 2023 Best of Dayton Award in the Psychologists category by the Dayton Award Program.

The Dayton Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Dayton area a great place to live, work and play."

Harnessing Post-Traumatic Stress for Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders

Combat Stress magazine is written with our military Service Members, Veterans, first responders, and their families in mind. We want all of our members and guests to find contentment in their lives by learning about stress management and finding what works best for each of them. Stress is unavoidable and comes in many shapes and sizes.
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Many of us suffer alone, but it doesn’t have to be that way. For those who wish to help, consider donating your time and presence to the Veteran community.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, please call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential service available 24/7 via text on mobile devices. One can text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor anywhere in Ohio. For the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988, followed by the #1, or text 838255.

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https://www.daytondailynews.com/ideas-voices/voices-trying-to-come-home-in-the-dawn-of-every-new-year/OTUXUSOZ7FAEREUS3CJFKP7QPY/

VOICES: Trying to come home in the dawn of every new year It’s not working, try as we may. This elusive goal of coming all the way home has no map, no pathway. We limp through this solitary journey on deserted and directionless roadways. If you haven’t walked in our boots, you simply cannot walk beside us. Less than 1 percent of the populace has served...

Hobart and William Smith Colleges have a long connection to the United States Armed Forces, dating back to the founding of Hobart College in 1822, with early trustees serving in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 and students serving not long after the College’s founding.

As Hobart College celebrates its Bicentennial, a new book written and edited by veteran-alums features profiles of 117 alums who served their country. Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Legacy of Military Service by COL C.R. Anderegg ’67, Lt,Col. John Norvell '66, Foreward by Lt. General Jack Woodward '68, and Afterward by COL (Dr.) Kathy Platoni '74.

With Kathy Platoni

https://www.hws.edu/news/2022/celebrating-the-military-service-of-hws-alums.aspx

Officer Seara Burton is what a hero looks like, not because she died in the line of duty so very tragically, but because of the phenomenal legacy of public service that she left behind. She was loved and respected and treasured by all who knew her. Though I was never privileged to meet her, I have come to know her through the incredible officers of the Richmond Police Department and her beloved family.

Her tremendous spirit will allow her to live on in the hearts and minds of countless law enforcement officers from across the land, the citizens of the community that she so proudly served, and all those whose lives were touched by her very existence. Rest in peace, Officer Burton.

Funeral service held for fallen Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton on Monday At Richmond High School community members and law enforcement from around the U.S. mourned the loss of Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton.

“This is a wake-up call of the dangers of law enforcement work which makes their sacrifices and what they do every day that much greater so we can not fail to rally around them,” said Dr. Platoni. “Only when they pass through those painful emotions can they take those steps forward.”

Thousands gather to say goodbye to Officer Seara Burton “The guy that shot Seara, I hope he spends his life in prison and her family deserves justice,” said resident Josh Bowers.

It has become no less than a cause for a grand celebration with every issue of Combat Stress that we publish. Some of the finest clinicians in the nation and premier authors from the first responder community have sought us out for publication. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Critical subject matter continues to come across the desks of those of us on the editorial staff, from coast to coast, from Virginia to Ohio to Texas and beyond. It is our responsibility and pleasure to bring this to the attention of our readers.

https://www.drplatoni.com/combat-stress

Inside this issue:
Editor’s Message
COVID Players: Charting the Course
Disenfranchised Grief in Gold Star Military Families
Combat Stress Commentary: HR3967/S3373 PACT Act
Diagnostic and Treatment Complexities of Combat Stress
Mindful Minute
Understanding a Shooting in Texas
The Stuff of War
Let Them Heal

The tragedy of Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton and the recent killings of three law enforcement officers in the Dayton area in the last several months has left a sadness for communities and the officers who serve with those victims.

“It’s extremely hard for those officers to navigate life, both on duty and off duty, with so much grief, agony and anguish,” Dr. Platoni said. “I’m trying to navigate with them.”

Experiencing so much grief at home, she said, “takes away the sense that we have a safe place in which to live because it has become so prevalent and has happened so many times.”

With Kathy Platoni

Richmond Police Officer Burton has us ‘all awash in grief and tragedy,’ clinical psychologist says Clinical psychologist says Richmond Officer Burton's family 'tough as nails'

“They don’t have a choice but to pack up these horrible burdens and return to duty,” said Platoni. Debriefings follow a seven-step process, and it’s very discreet.

“Nothing is recorded. It’s by law. Everything remains confidential,” said Platoni. “We start with introductions and have everybody tell what their role was on the scene.”

Then the floor opens to anyone who wants to express what they’re feeling. “Usually everybody talks, we basically asked them to walk us through what they did on scene so everybody really understands the importance of their role, even if it was just to be there for support,” said Platoni. That’s exactly what happened after the sudden loss of Deputy Yates.

Area psychologist weighs in on impact of losing first responder following death of Clark Co. deputy Platoni was called to the mobile home park where Clark County Sheriff’s deputy Matthew Yates was killed in the line of duty Sunday.

"There will never be a time when these Gold Star Families will be able to unsee, unfeel, or put aside the grief that stems from such overwhelming losses. Wounds may heal, scars may fade, but grief is not finite. Grief has no time frame and expiration date. The burdens they carry will last a lifetime. Despite the empty words of those at the helm, this is not a journey to be walked alone, for their losses are unfathomable. Grief takes no breaks and has no end date." ~ Kathy Platoni

https://www.daytondailynews.com/ideas-voices/voices-never-forget-those-who-gave-their-lives-serving-our-country/VMN4V45YMRBOZKOALXCSSJLA4A/

VOICES: Never forget those who gave their lives serving our country Gold Star Families have given us the gift of their sons and daughters, parents, siblings, nieces, and your nephews alike; those who are the true, rightful and most authentic of heroes of this great nation, on battlefields far removed from our homeland. Very few will ever understand the magnitude of....

Combat Stress Magazine: Spring 2022
Celebrating the Life, Times and Extraordinary Accomplishments of Dayton Police & Fire Chief Richard Biehl

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with Kathy Platoni

Thank you Special Speeches for including my speech along with General Colin Powell and General Stanley McChrystal's speeches -- I am honored!

"From the commanding general to the enlisted soldier, here are some military retirement speeches from different branches that can serve as inspiration."

Platoni Army Retirement speech The text of the Platoni Army Retirement Speech

Dr. Kathy Platoni has been selected for the 2022 Best of Dayton Award in the Psychologists category by the Dayton Award Program for the third consecutive year, entering her into the Dayton Business Hall of Fame.
Read More: https://www.drplatoni.com/press-2021

“Even though this [su***de] should be considered a line-of-duty death, they consider it something that should be swept under the rug. They see it as a sign of weakness,” Dr. Platoni said.

“Our law enforcement community does what nobody else will do and so that nobody else has to and that isn’t realized at all,” Dr. Platoni continued.

Su***de data collection law is the first step towards addressing officer su***des - American Police Beat Magazine FBI su***de data collection law is the first step towards addressing officer su***des

First responders are not invincible, they’re human.

Dr. Platoni said many departments do not offer mental health resources for their officers and many live in fear that if they speak up, their jobs would be taken from them.

“If they’re scared that their badge is going to be taken away, that’s because of us. We shouldn’t put them in that situation,” Harden said. “Get them the help that they need, they’re just as human as anybody else.”

Thank you Dayton 24/7 Now for this important story. Please share.

'It's long overdue:' New law has potential to help officers who suffer DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — Blue H. E. L. P. reported 183 first responders died by su***de in 2020 and 147 died in 2021. “It is not talked about, it’s not reported,” said Sergeant Beth Prall from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. She said two officers have died by su***de i...

“I like to refer to it as bystander effect. It pretty much means the same thing,” Platoni said. “We become desensitized to it. We think it could never happen here, I don’t want to be a snitch, nobody will take me seriously, this person has never threatened to bring harm on any scale, let alone a mass scale, so people figure somebody else is going to report.” - watch the interview now.

WHIO, thank you for the opportunity to help our community.

I-Team: What is ‘bystander fatigue’? FBI says this led to no one reporting Oregon District shooter After more than two years, the FBI has closed its investigation into the Oregon District Mass Shooting.

“I took this picture. My biggest memories were of these guys ( my friends) and the bond we formed. Working in small groups like this is different than serving in a large unit.

This was taken sometime during the Easter Offensive 1972 we were very active in Reconnaissance at the time. Long missions lasting weeks in the bush. When we returned to a fire base or even the company area in Bien Hoa, the other soldiers thought we were crazy… lol.

In hindsight we may of been and I know we looked the part … it was one hell of an experience for a 19 year old.”
- Chris Mayfield