Help For Suicidal Veterans

(CBS)

Last night CBS News reported on internal emails written by top officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs that appear to show how the VA tried to cover-up the true risk of suicide among our nation's military veterans.

However, it is important to note that there are many caring health care professionals at the agency who work extremely hard everyday to take care of veterans in need.

Veterans should know the VA does offer help. We recently spoke to some vets who say counseling sessions by the VA helped them better deal with some of their emotional struggles.

The VA also has a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline [phone]-TALK) for those who need someone to talk to. We encourage anyone who is feeling suicidal to reach out for help.

According to the VA's website, (http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/) some suicide warning signs include:

• Talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Trying to get pills, guns, or other ways to harm oneself
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
• Feeling Hopeless
• Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
• Acting in a reckless or engaging in risky activities
• Feeling trapped, like there's no way out
• Saying or feeling there's no reason for living
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Anxiety, agitation, inability to sleep or excessive sleeping
• Dramatic mood swings
• Increased alcohol or drug use

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It is very unfortunate that our veterans have to go through these ordeals. This should not be. When someone reaches a deep state of hopelessness, as is the case of homeless people, suicide thoughts are part of daily life. These people may have some sort of brain dysfunctionality, or tangled synapses as it is called in the field, that requires urgent treatment.

Having someone to talk to is of a great help. Dialog then is the trait by which we all relate to each other, constructive and positive dialog that is.