Comments on: Suicide Epidemic Among Veterans

A CBS News Investigation Uncovers A Suicide Rate For Veterans Twice That Of Other Americans

[veteran356]

Regardless of the conflict, returning veterans face many challenges. They are trying to re-join a society that has become almost foreign to them. They no longer have the support structure of their buddies in service, which makes them feel cut off. Relationships like that outside the military are more rare, and take time to build.
No one is helping you. Those who did not volunteer are ahead of the veteran in education and their careers.
Our congress is bickering with itself, and with the President, and while the finger-pointing and accusations go on, no one is helping the veteran.
Being out on the street, trying to deal with the spiritual, physical and emotional damage of war... what do you expect to happen? And it is not new to Iraq. It happens in every war, even the "Cold" war.

And everyone should have known what WAR means from the start. Democratic or Republican, the Media, everyone.... It''s not a video game. It is REAL.

And we have started it now. Walking away will cause even more damage to our veterans. But we have a tremendous amount of work to do here at home, healing and helping these volunteers who have all sacrificed so much. Their lives are changed forever, in ways that non-veterans will ever understand. As a united country, we must take care of these brave men and women.

[ffra78]

This is the problems with war. The unintended causalities. I agree with veteran71 those that started this war don''''t have to see the horror, carnage, constant looking over you back, being in a constant state of alert.. etc., Bush lied sent our children to Iraq and he and the vice president should be held accountable for every soldier killed and those that come home maimed or kill themselves. I always imagine what this country could be like if we had not spent trillions of dollars in Iraq. So many people would not have died, we could send people to college, fix our roads and bridges, spark new buisnesses and get the economy fixed, pay off student loans for those of us that have them.. put america back to work for a decent wage. Eventually, all that money haliburton makes won''''t mean anything because the dollar will be so worthless it will mean only that it''''s a piece of paper with colors on it.

Posted by edgemont11 at 10:39 AM : Nov 15, 2007

yes and also i understood that many young boys and girls from our country''vebeen fooled by government, bush and his friends.. they don''t know its only opportunism and nothing else by bush&co.

[jattwood1]

I would like to see this investigation look at the percentage of these suicides who have been taking the new generation of psychotropic drugs used to treat depression. Is it possible that a corelation may be found between the year the VA and the military began routinely prescribing these drugs and the year that a rise in suicides began? The story of these particular drugs causing suicides is a huge one in the general population. I have read that the military and the VA are indeed using these drugs on those fighting in the Iraq War. I would like to know if there is a working relationship between large drug companies and the VA and military.Also, along with suicides has there been a noticeable increase in violence and/or homicides toward loved ones? These things should be addressed. Thank you.

[deemsnyd]

THERE--is a location, such as "It is not here, it is there."

THEY''RE--is a contraction for ''they are'', such as "They''re stupid, only my opinion counts."


THEIR--means ownership, such as ''It is only my opinion that counts, not theirs."

Not on topic, but apparently an issue just the same.

[lbeth57]

I certainly understand the ISSUES, I have been in the NAVY for the past 18yrs, and even though I was never put in a dramatic situation like the ones in the WAR ZONE I feel that we are not given the medical treatment that we deserve. I have suffered from depression, headaches etc; but if I complain about it the people I work for takes it as an excuse, and treat me badly. If I was not strong enough I would someone hurt myself, or end it, they put us in a situation like that. The MILITARY does not take depression/mental issues seriously. The amount of stress that is put upon us gets us into that state of mind, and it is nothing about our daily JOB;

[edgemont1]

This is the problems with war. The unintended causalities. I agree with veteran71 those that started this war don''t have to see the horror, carnage, constant looking over you back, being in a constant state of alert.. etc., Bush lied sent our children to Iraq and he and the vice president should be held accountable for every soldier killed and those that come home maimed or kill themselves. I always imagine what this country could be like if we had not spent trillions of dollars in Iraq. So many people would not have died, we could send people to college, fix our roads and bridges, spark new buisnesses and get the economy fixed, pay off student loans for those of us that have them.. put america back to work for a decent wage. Eventually, all that money haliburton makes won''t mean anything because the dollar will be so worthless it will mean only that it''s a piece of paper with colors on it.

[micma-2009]

Don''t worry vets. Help is on the way. Bush is sending you a nice "support the troops" bumper sticker courtesy of the RNC.

[carlpio]

Allow me to let you in on a little "Secret" - the young men and women who risk their lives for our freedom have been taking their lives at a rate higher than the national average ever since records have been kept so to focus in on this war is a gross injustice to those of us who have served before. As a Viet Nam Vet I''ve been down this road with my brothers and sisters. Don''t loose focus by trying and making this a political issue - rather isn''t it about time something is done to help those who have given so much?

[gonner2]

why didnt you put my comments on the post? I knew that you didnt or dont care about veterans here or abroad. tell me or em ail me and give me a reason.wilma

[glaswolf]

I have tutored and counseled folks since I was little. As fate would have it, more than a few have talked to me just before they committed suicide. Guns, slit wrists, exhaust, hidespeed telephone poles reflect some of the successful, death by policeman among the failures. Most were academic allied or from well seated situations. Their reasons ran from tiring of medication to issues of honor, curiosity or integrity. I don''t think any were Vets. Most were over complimented and felt they were unable to rise to the tasks others expected of them, the sense was of being unnecessary plus having a rationale to check out. Granted imagery is repetitive and intense, but many nations have fought wars with axe and sword in which the damage was far more brutal, up closer and more personal. I think delayed theories are over rated and over applied. No nation could survive nor civilization evolve with so much dysfunction. Admittedly, return tours ought to be less frequent by our standards, but breakdown is beyond the levels of acceptability. We clearly need folks who are more martial, more indifferent to damage and less effected by its memory. We''re not supposed to dwell on the destruction, except to improve damage rates in future encounters.

[ffra78]

"My father, now deceased, proudly served in the US Army for 21 years and regretted he ever retired. He served in Viet Nam for one year (1967)but returned home a VERY changed man. For him, the war never ended. He fought it daily: he was depressed, had anger issues, was distrustful and suspicious and was a loner. He fought it at night: nightmares of the war plagued him almost every night; he dreaded going to sleep. God bless the soldier. "

Posted by makethewaite at 07:21 PM : Nov 14, 2007

Makethewaite, can i ask wich support, from state organization, did your father received during this dark period?
thanks in advance for your reply.
i would like to focus how USGovernment manage this cases for soldiers came back home.
thanks again

[ramos937]

The report that the rate of suicide among veterans is double that of the general population is deeply troubling and simply unacceptable. I am especially concerned that so many young veterans appear to be taking their own lives. For too many veterans, returning home from battle does not bring an end to conflict. There is no question that action is needed."

The Senator''s heart is in the right place. But, in the end, politicians from both parties will poke holes in the sky, the President will announce his concern and nothing will result. The situation will not improve.

It is a safe bet that the major part of these suicides (6K) are from the Iraq war and are a major part of the cost this country is paying.

[galaxyman2]

Wake up the White House and send an E-Mail DON''T FORGET THE VET. I lost a very good friend because the VA sent him away. Fill the mailbox up and maybe they might wake up.in a year the boy George will walk away as if nothing happened. don''t let them slide and hide they owe them all.

[galaxyman2]

The Vets who have returned from most engagements were released from the service and not given the assistance nor the respect they deserved. When I was released in 63 I had no knowledge of any assistance that I could get. Most of my friends who came back from Nam were the same way. It was accidental that I. found out about the VA. Criminal that there are that many suicides and it has been ignored. I don''t believe in the war but I do believe in our TROOPS. I say Take care of them and *** the cost.

[morningbear3]

As a Veteran who entered the Vietnam experience with PTSD from an abusive home, it was not diagnosed in those days and I am certain that the -off book- duties I took on exacerbated my state of mind. So I applied for service connected disability in 1970. I was denied the classification because it was deemed a preexisting condition, which was first diagnosed in an Army hospital.

I have several degrees now with much background in psychology and pastoral care. But the journey there cost me much in addition to the therapy that was occasionally authorized indigent Veterans by the VA. I am served by them now and they do OK but many of their limitations put me at risk. And their system has cost me $24,000 to third party emergency services. They do not seem to maximize services to insured patients who can actually pay a copayment and insurance billing. I have always felt like a begger, hat in hand, when seeking VA help, though insured. Until medicare, my insurance never paid enough for hospitalization elsewhere. I have been in many VA t-groups where the indignity of the VA process has been a recurring subject.

[pro_soldier]

I have watched the news piece and read the comments and believe the biggest problem is that we keep passing the buck. These returning soldiers are OUR relatives, spouses, neighbors yet we keep making other people responsible for their well-being. WE are a nation at war and have to take responsibility for the well-being of all returning soldiers. At least in principle OUR way of life and we are eternally in their debt.

[taylpatr]

My prayers go out to all our service people.You signed up to serve your country and defend the Constitution.And I really feel for you having to go do this thing under the conditions that started it.You are having to go against the Constitution to carry out your orders.You are at the whim of a mad man, a man without a clue about combat or war in general.But don''t waste your lives!You count for more than that, for you are the ones whose testimony and actions can stop this madness.Think about it.This country was founded on protest and rebellion.Sometimes, someone has to refuse and yell loud enough to be heard, and if anyone has ever earned the right to be heard, it''s you, Soldiers and Marines.There are alot of us praying for you people.God bless you all.

[coishome]

Up until 1982 58 thousand vietnam vets had committed suicide. I''ve not heard any reports on that and how many would it be now? Are the vets who are fighting this lost cause, no win situation today experiencing the same thing vietnam vets did? Vietnam vets came home loosers at best or baby killers. I hope these young men and women today at least can come home proud.

[bpjok2]

Thank you for doing this investigation. Veteran''s that have been in the war zone are not the only ones that fall into deep depression, have anxieties, and even the overall veteran health system itself maybe sick needing help as well.

[willyard4]

Its no secret. The VA has a few good people but, for the most part, dealing with them is frustrating and leaves me so depressed that I think about killing myself almost every day. Their mental health people are a joke and I have to fight with them to get my pain control medication every month. I am 100% disabled with almost 24 years in the Army. I have asked for help and they keep brushing me off. It''s no wonder we kill ourselves when we feel there is no hope, no chance to get better, no relief from pain, no stopping the nightmares. I know that I need help controling my demons and the VA continues to ignore my cry for help.

When there is no light at the end of the tunnel and no hope, suicide seems to be a viable alternative. Somedays you just get tired of fighting.