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On Average, A Veteran Commits Suicide Every 65 Minutes
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:10 pm
Watching a documentary and this stat flashed on the screen. Really grabbed me by the throat for a minute.
For anyone in the know (former Vets) or if you're an acquaintance of anyone within that stat, what's the major problem? How, where and why do 'we' keep failing these guys and girls? Does more need to be done the second they come home to acclimate their heart and mind? Does it start way before that in terms of the process of getting them ready to be a soldier period? Is there simply not enough mental healthcare infrastructure that it's overwhelming to the VA/Other so it's just a wait and see approach?
20+ per day is an epidemic. Something's wrong. Bad wrong.
Sorry for the long Oweo wall of text.
For anyone in the know (former Vets) or if you're an acquaintance of anyone within that stat, what's the major problem? How, where and why do 'we' keep failing these guys and girls? Does more need to be done the second they come home to acclimate their heart and mind? Does it start way before that in terms of the process of getting them ready to be a soldier period? Is there simply not enough mental healthcare infrastructure that it's overwhelming to the VA/Other so it's just a wait and see approach?
20+ per day is an epidemic. Something's wrong. Bad wrong.
Sorry for the long Oweo wall of text.
38
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:12 pm to Sao
Have you not heard of the #22-A-Day campaign that's been around for several years now?
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:13 pm to Sao
They fought in wars for a country that pretends to love them but instead hung them out to dry when their service was over while attention whore citizens use them as props for their stupid agendas. What else would we expect to happen? It's a fricking tragedy.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:14 pm to cdaniel76
I have but I guess this doc just made me much more aware.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:15 pm to Sao
My dad is part of that number. He was a Vietnam vet and couldn’t deal with what he saw or did over there. He took his life in 2010 at the age of 66. He was in therapy at the VA but couldn’t overcome it.
PTSD is real.
PTSD is real.
This post was edited on 2/18/21 at 1:19 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:17 pm to Sao
One of my undergrad professors at EKU worked part-time as a therapist at the VA. She would have a large waitlist and often talked about how she wished they could hire more personnel to deal specifically with mental health issues.
They probably have more access than some, but not nearly enough. PTSD can also be notoriously difficult to treat and is often a battle against substance use as well.
They probably have more access than some, but not nearly enough. PTSD can also be notoriously difficult to treat and is often a battle against substance use as well.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:17 pm to Sao
That is absolutely horrific.God bless our amazing veterans everywhere.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:18 pm to Sao
yet, the federal govt. no matter who is in office finds trillions of dollars for handout and gender studies in foreign countries.
and organizations like wounded warrior have to depend on donations from the public.
and organizations like wounded warrior have to depend on donations from the public.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:19 pm to BluegrassBelle
quote:
One of my undergrad professors at EKU worked part-time as a therapist at the VA. She would have a large waitlist and often talked about how she wished they could hire more personnel to deal specifically with mental health issues.
They probably have more access than some, but not nearly enough. PTSD can also be notoriously difficult to treat and is often a battle against substance use as well.
I do pro bono work on behalf of veterans (helping them navigate the VA benefit regime). Let's just say that I'm glad I don't have to rely on that agency for my healthcare needs. While the people I've dealt with there have been fine and generally seem to care, they're just overwhelmed.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:19 pm to Sao
quote:
Is there simply not enough mental healthcare infrastructure that it's overwhelming to the VA/Other so it's just a wait and see approach?
You nailed it. We, as a country, have gutted mental healthcare budgets for years now. This is an odd fact being that it runs counter to the supposed renewed focus and attention mental health issues are receiving. It is almost as if it is lip-service with little or no substance.
This coupled with the resistance to treatment/help in the Veteran community, for whatever reason, be it their training, their natural inclination, or a combination of the two, makes reaching them difficult. It is a sad situation all the way around.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:19 pm to Sao
One of our best neighborhood friends is very vocal on this. They have a hike in May. We donated some stuff and I am volunteering to help. This is something that should get more attention.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:19 pm to Sao
Very sad statistic. I am fortunate to have good resources as needed at my local VA. I am grateful for that.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:23 pm to Mo Jeaux
quote:
I do pro bono work on behalf of veterans (helping them navigate the VA benefit regime). Let's just say that I'm glad I don't have to rely on that agency for my healthcare needs. While the people I've dealt with there have been fine and generally seem to care, they're just overwhelmed.
I know it was incredibly frustrating for her as she would've happily taken on the job full-time but they just weren't looking to hire.
For all of the money we push into military budgets, IMO this should be a well funded component. If we're sending off young men and women into situations where they're almost guaranteed to develop psychosis (even if we're talking mild psychosis), they should receive gold star mental and physical care for their service.
This post was edited on 2/18/21 at 1:24 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:24 pm to GardenDistrictTiger
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:24 pm to Sao
I lost a battle buddy to suicide five years ago. One thing that I still think about from our conversations is how he would tell me he never thought about suicide until the VA started reminding him of it every time he called or visited a facility. He couldn’t do anything without a canned message telling him that if he’s thinking about suicide, there’s help.
Clearly that’s not the right approach. It’s still that way, as I endure the same messaging every time I need something.
Clearly that’s not the right approach. It’s still that way, as I endure the same messaging every time I need something.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:26 pm to Mo Jeaux
Do you happen to recognize any pattern in terms of the vets asking for help way too late so to speak? IOW, anguish alone and try to self medicate, suppress or drink which is what most men do anyway when depressed. Too tough to admit help is needed.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:27 pm to TigerOnTheMountain
My dad told his support group what he was planning on doing. They had a what’s said here stays here pact so they said nothing. The leader of the group told by mom this at his casket.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:27 pm to Sao
quote:Most Vets are too proud to ask for help with anything in my expeiriance
Too tough to admit help is needed.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:27 pm to pdubya76
quote:
My dad is part of that number. He was a Vietnam vet and couldn’t deal with what he saw or did over there. He took his life in 2010 at the age of 66. He was in therapy at the VA but couldn’t overcome it. PTSD is real.
Someone with more historical knowledge would have to chime in, but I wonder what contributes more to Vietnam and Middle East in particular causing issues. From an outside perspective, maybe the difficulty differentiating between combatants and innocents? Not so black and white with uniforms and such.
This post was edited on 2/18/21 at 1:29 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 1:28 pm to MorbidTheClown
quote:
wounded warrior
WWP has improved just by getting rid of Nardizzi but in general your money goes way further by giving to local charities. Check 990s before giving, focus on officer salaries.
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