VCS Editorial: Suicide Remains Sad Legacy of 9/11

Veterans for Common Sense has been a champion for veterans and they are responsible for much of what has been happening in the battle to save the lives of our veterans. They released an editorial on the plight our veterans face especially the post 9-11 veterans. As the tenth anniversary approaches, we pause to think of the lives lost that day, we should also think of the lives lost answering the call to serve in the military because of that day.

"According to VA, as of July 31, 2011:

462,854 total calls to VA's Crisis Line at 800-273-8255

259,891 calls from veterans

6,030 calls from active duty service members

16,955 “rescues” of veterans and service members"

While this is a great editorial by Veterans For Common Sense, they are a lot nicer than I am. I have to face it, I am not politically correct and I have no patience when it comes to needless suffering. When will someone notice these numbers and actually know what they represent?

These numbers do show the need for and success of the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Wonderful when you look at it and never really think about it. Yet when you add in the fact the suicide numbers have still gone up even after all these "programs" were started by the DOD to address the suffering, these numbers show failure of those programs sold as "resiliency training" to toughen their minds. If the attempt worked when introduced in 2003, there would have never been a need for the Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Almost 17,000 rescues, which is also wonderful but what happens to them after they are "rescued?" Do they have the help they need to make sure they never get that hopeless again? Where do they go? Do they end up with approved claims from the VA to support themselves and give them the emotional boost when the VA accepts responsibility for what they are suffering from? Or are they still trapped in the pile of 850,000 other claims, as pointed out by this editorial, waiting to be processed? Or the 250,000 other claims trapped for over 4 years? Any idea what kind of stress this adds to a veteran dealing with PTSD? Any idea what kind of stress this adds to their families trying to come to terms with someone they love falling apart?

Over 250,000 calls from veterans but no one is asking why they reach the point of contemplating suicide with all the things available to them now? How many charity groups are out there supposedly taking care of them, getting grants and collecting donations? Does anyone bother to check to see if their programs are working, work the best or fail? Support groups are all over the Internet providing more support than ever before to veterans all over the country yet no one is studying if the support they are getting is helpful or harmful.

We see ads all the time with companies promising to donate a portion of the money we spend to programs like Wounded Warriors Project, a worthy endeavor offering programs for a full range of wounds but along with the other groups we should all be asking why the tragic numbers go up despite these efforts.

We can keep reading about veterans facing more life threatening situations back home than they face in combat or we can look at what has been working, repeat it and stop what has not been working.

VCS Editorial: Suicide Remains Sad Legacy of 9/11
Written by vcs
Monday, 05 September 2011 17:08

VCS Releases New Suicide-Related Statistics as Part of National Suicide Prevention Week
September 5, 2011 (VCS Editorial) - As the war in Afghanistan enters its 10th year, and as the war in Iraq enters its 21st year, our troops and veterans suffer enormous casualties. One sad legacy is the current suicide epidemic. In the last two years more of our service members completed suicide than were killed by the enemy. An average of 18 veterans from all wars complete suicide every day.

VCS remains at the forefront of this issue. With the assistance of attorneys at Morrison / Foerster and Disability Rights Advocates, VCS and VUFT sued VA for turning away suicidal veterans in 2007. Our vigorous advocacy continues prompting improvements in medical care and awareness at both VA and DoD.

However, as the wars drag on, the deadly suicide crisis worsens. Untreated depression and PTSD can become serious issues for service members, veterans, and families. Deployment and re-deployment to war, improper denials for care, lengthy delays to see doctors, and discrimination against those seeking mental healthcare further increase the risk for suicide.
read more here