Comments on: Suicide Epidemic Among Veterans

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

[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.