Veterans can’t get help from the VA, because the resources aren’t there. It has been estimated 22 veterans commit suicide each day.
Suicidal ideation, or suicidal thoughts, are much more common than most people realize. In truth, most people have thought about suicide at one time or another. These thoughts can be quite troubling, especially if they are experienced during a time of mental illness, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Suicidal ideation has been broken down into two categories: Active and Passive. Active suicidal ideation is an existing wish to die accompanied by a plan for accomplishing the goal. Passive suicidal ideation is a desire to die, but without a specific plan for carrying out the death.
For veterans, suicidal ideation is considered a risk marker for the severity of a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When seeking relief from stress and physical pain, veterans and others, often consider a “final exit.” A warrior is trained in the ways of battle. Destruction can be provide a sense of accomplishment, but when people die and flesh is ripped into small pieces, there can also be conflicting emotions. The conflicts may not surface until years later. These internal conflicts may combine with stress and/or pain as a person ages. With suicide, the person can create a sense of authority, or control, over what has become an uncomfortable or painful life.
Counseling can have a positive impact as the internal conflicts are talked out. The Veteran’s Administration is responsible treating veterans. Unfortunately, due to Republican budget cuts, because Republicans think the federal government is too big and spends too much money, treatment can be difficult to get.
Since 2012, 54 patients of the Bay Pines facility in Tampa, Florida, have committed suicide. The VA’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the facility’s handling of veteran suicides and pulled the cases of 20 veterans. They discovered the facility had failed to provide follow up care to at least eight of the veterans.
Veterans Service Officer Alan Hill said there are a number of reasons for the problems veterans have, including military sexual trauma, PTSD, alcohol and drug abuse, and traumatic brain injury. Hill warned that veterans need to start the process of getting help as quickly as possible, because the paperwork process can take some time. He added,
“Clients shouldn’t think paperwork preparation means immediate results. Regional offices in Houston and Waco make the decision, or it may go up to a board of appeals. There are more than eight forms, plus support documents, and most packets have 20 pages or more. Often it takes at least 120 days for a decision. In my seven years here, four have been settled in 90 days or less. Some, if they are already registered as VA patients, get a faster response. If they aren’t registered, first there’s paperwork, which results in appointments, but that could be seven months with medication prescribed in between. And sometimes, the individual feels like he’s doing better, and tells us to cancel the whole registration thing. This happens, too. Vets who feel they have a problem should start at the HCVC or the VA hospital or their medical provider. But don’t put it off. Don’t struggle with your demons.”
In spite of their best efforts, VA Hospitals are not equipped to deal with our veterans needs. It is difficult to get seen in the first place, setting up appointments “is difficult,” and getting treatment simply takes too long. The VA is vastly underfunded, and as long as Republicans, and the wealthy, control congress, that will not change.
