Veterans struggling with PTSD, suicide, drug addition and chronic homelessness urged to seek help through the VA.
The statistics are absolutely shocking! 22 veterans commit suicide every day, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs — experts say increased awareness among the military community and better treatment options could ease the stigma of mental illness for veterans.
Statistics regarding veterans and mental health issues including suicide, are indeed alarming.
Veteran suicide is big in our country right now – with a lot of focus on this.
According to an article published by Mother Jones magazine that compared statistics from the VA and the Center for New American Security, veterans account for 20 percent of suicides in the U.S., although they only make up 7 percent of the population.
This epidemic isn’t limited to veterans – who completed their service. According to an October 2014 Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center study, suicide was the leading cause of death of U.S. active military personnel in 2012 and 2013 — higher than combat fatalities.
Additionally suicide, PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses are also of major concern for veterans.
PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder, which is also classified as a mental health problem.
It can occur after you have gone through an extreme emotional trauma that involved the threat of injury or death.
In fact, since November 2001, more veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD than have been wounded in combat, according to the article.
Source: Suicide, PTSD and the Psychological toll on America’s Vets
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/01/charts-us-veterans-ptsd-war-iraq-afghanistan
The good news is that effective treatments for PTSD exist. The problem of course is getting people connected with treatment. When you have PTSD dealing with the past can be hard. Instead of telling others how you feel, you may keep your feelings bottled up. But talking with a therapist can help you get better. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of counseling. Research shows it is the most effective type of counseling for PTSD.
See related video: PTSD From A Soldier’s POV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkWwZ9ZtPEI
Mental illness, such as PTSD can also lead to other issues, including chronic homelessness and substance abuse.
About 80 percent of veterans who are experiencing more than one episode of homelessness have either mental health or substance abuse issues. Outreach is critically important.
To address this issue we need to encourage veterans to seek help by contacting the VA or a mental health provider.
In addition to encouraging veterans to get help, educating the community about how PTSD manifests itself is hugly important– not just through flashbacks, but also through irritability, hyperanxiety, depression and other subtle symptoms — is critical to helping families identify symptoms that veterans might not see themselves.
Its also important to understand that there is help available. Through the VA, resources are available for a wide range of mental an physical health needs.
For veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) who have problems functioning in day-to-day life, outpatient care is available in a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery centers. Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs are also available for veterans.
The programs provide mental health services as well as education and job training needs in a structured environment. They can also assist you in seeking treatment for drug issues and helping you find permanent supportive housing.
You have options: Please contact the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1 (text 838255) or Confidential Veterans Chat with a counselor. For Suicide related issues call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
Tranined staff wll assist you through your problems.
If you are a war Veteran, find a Vet Center to help with the transition from military to civilian life. Call the 24/7 Veteran Combat Call Center 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387) to talk to another combat Veteran. DoD’s Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) 24/7 Outreach Center for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury provides information and helps locate resources.
Call 1-866-966-1020 or email resources@dcoeoutreach.org Military OneSource
Call 24/7 for counseling and many resources 1-800-342-9647. Need further assistance? Get Help with VA PTSD Care, Benefits, or Claims.