Stand by Them, really? Finally?

Stand by Them, really? Finally?
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
September 11, 2012

I woke up this morning, turned on the computer after my normal routine and began reading emails. I had several on "Stand by them" effort to prevent military suicides and thought I must still be dreaming. There is was, staring me right in the face what I came up with six years ago!

VA Mobilizes Veterans’ Supporters for Suicide Prevention Month
Posted on September 10, 2012
by VCS
Veterans’ Communities, Families Asked to ‘Stand by Them’

WASHINGTON (Sept. 10, 2012) — In recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Month, the Department of Veterans Affairs is calling on individuals and communities across the country to show their support for Veterans in crisis and help raise awareness of the VA mental health services Veterans have earned. The theme for the outreach campaign, “Stand by Them,” is part of a joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) effort focused on Veteran and Servicemember support networks, especially their friends and family members, who may be the first to realize a Veteran or Servicemember is in crisis.

“History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the wars have ended,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The mental health and well-being of our brave men and women who have served the Nation is the highest priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Throughout September and beyond, VA is partnering with the DoD and other agencies, while urging community-based organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, health care providers, private companies to stand by Veterans and Servicemembers. These groups can educate their networks—including Veterans’ and Servicemembers’ friends and family members—about recognizing suicide risk and encouraging those at risk to call the Veterans Crisis Line(1-800-273-8255 and Press 1), chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net or text to 838255.
read more here

Are they finally listening to me?
I created this video in 2006 and it was up on YouTube until September 10, 2009 when it went up on Great Americans. The song is I'll Stand By You and was chosen after days of going through to find the perfect song.

About the Video: When it comes to the wound of war that leaves a scar on the soul, Vietnam veterans have been there fighting to make sure it is treated and helping to heal all generations of veterans. Brothers taking care of brothers and sisters like no one else can understand.

No, they have no idea who I am, what I do or what I've been saying all these years. That's the biggest problem they have. They don't want to listen to people like me.

It doesn't matter to them that average people all over the country have been lived with combat PTSD, and facing loss of hope everyday leading up to suicides, but topped off with the "I got to do" attitude to spare others from this pain.

It doesn't mater to them that 30 years of my life has been dedicated to defeating PTSD and helping them heal. People like me don't matter because they never bothered to look for us. Hearing what works from us is not something they've ever been interested in.

Hero After War Combat Vets and PTSD 8 min - Nov 27, 2006 - and PTSD...PTSD is coming out in Vietnam veterans although they thought they recovered. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2199741453313873966

Maybe if they had listened to someone like me six years ago, there would be a lot more healing from combat and PTSD and a lot less families having to visit graves.

DoD, VA roll out new suicide awareness effort
By Patricia Kime
Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 10, 2012

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments announced an awareness campaign, “Stand by Them: Help a Veteran” as part of a national strategy on suicide prevention unveiled Monday by the Obama Administration and the National Action Alliance on Suicide Prevention.

With troops and veterans identified as being at higher risk for suicide than the general population, the campaign stresses the influence family members, friends, colleagues — nearly anyone who knows a veteran — can have in stopping a suicide.

VA and DoD hope the public service announcement “Side by Side” will spur veterans to seek mental health care.

READ THE REPORT
2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (PDF)

“We’ve learned that we still miss many opportunities to prevent suicide if only we had someone into care earlier in the process. We hear time and again after a suicide [that] family members, coworkers, friends knew something wasn’t right or [that] the veteran was having difficulties,” VA Deputy Secretary Scott Gould said during a news conference announcing the national strategy.

The joint awareness campaign aims to coax those who know troubled service members or veterans to call the Veterans Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255, to get information and alert VA for a possible intervention.

“Nothing is more fundamental to our success than communication, reaching out to those in need of guidance of support, especially the socially isolated, listening to anyone who needs a friend or a mentor and changing the public conversation,” said Army Secretary John McHugh, co-chairman of the Action Alliance.

The 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is the first update of a strategy originally published in 2001.

That initiative contained 10 goals to reduce suicide in the following decade, including: promoting awareness of the nationwide problem; developing a prevention strategy; reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health care; and promoting responsible media reporting and portrayal of suicides in the news and entertainment industries.

read more here

Maybe now you know why I need donations so desperately? How can I keep doing this work if it is not supported?