WASHINGTON, May 10, 2007
Report: Veterans Have Greater Suicide Risk
A Veterans Administration Review Points Finger At Inadequate Care
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Members of the Army National Guard watch an orientation movie at the beginning of a Post Deployment Health Reassessment event at the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Armory in Lock Haven, Pa., Sunday, March 25, 2007. Months after returning home, thousands of soldiers are learning the hard way that they did not escape the war unscathed. (AP)
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The report released Thursday by the department's inspector general is the first comprehensive look at VA mental health care, particularly suicide prevention.
It found that nearly three years into the VA's broad strategy for mental health care, services were inconsistent throughout the agency's 1,400 clinics.
Several facilities lacked 24-hour staff, adequate screening for mental problems or properly trained workers.
With about one-third of veterans reporting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, it is "incumbent upon VHA (the Veterans Health Administration) to continue moving forward toward full deployment of suicide prevention strategies for our nation's veterans," the report stated.
In a written response, the VA's acting undersecretary for health agreed with many of the recommendations. Michael Kussman noted that the VA recently has placed suicide prevention coordinators in each medical center.
The report comes as already-strained troops and veterans say they are suffering more psychological problems due to repeated and extended deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In a study this month, a Pentagon task force issued an urgent warning for improved care.
In the inspector general report, investigators echoed some of those concerns in calling for additional staffing and better training in VA facilities. It said about 1,000 veterans who receive VA care commit suicide every year and as many as 5,000 a year among all living veterans.
The report, which was requested last year by Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, said clinics should work harder so veterans can seek treatment with feeling stigmatized. It recommended additional screening for patients with traumatic brain injury.
Among the other recommendations:
The report follows high-profile suicide incidents in which families of veterans say the VA did not do enough to provide care. In one case, the family of Marine Jonathan Schulze said he told staff at a VA Medical Center in Minnesota twice that he was suicidal in the days before he hanged himself Jan. 16, but that he was turned away. The VA has said that was not the case.
Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said he hoped the VA would place a high priority on suicide prevention given the thousands of veterans suffering from psychological wounds.
"We can not afford to nickel and dime our nations heroes," he said. "If we do, we'll be paying for it for a generation."
Sen. Patty Murray, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said the report pointed to a lack of planning by the department.
"It is far past time for the administration to get its act together and treat invisible wounds with the same vigilance that is given to physical injuries," said Murray, D-Wash.
Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka, who chairs the Senate commitee, said the review showed a greater need for accountability in VA care. "I will continue oversight and work to ensure that VAs mental health professionals have the resources they need," he said.
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- Yes there is Mental Health help 24/7 at the VA
and families should not hesitate to bring a family/friend in need at any time. I can speak for the VA on the west coast. I know I work there
Posted by JDUBS63 at 12:34 PM : May 11, 2007
Thanks finally a voice of reason speaks in this sorted mess. - Reply to this comment
- Yes there is Mental Health help 24/7 at the VA
and families should not hesitate to bring a family/friend in need at any time. I can speak for the VA on the west coast. I know I work there - Reply to this comment
- down-ndirty,
Sorry about your personal experience with marriage. I know personaly that it's hard to hold the family together under the best of circumstances. But is that Reagan's fault that you married the wrong woman, made babies with her then she left you hanging out to dry? Maybe this mental health issue applies to her. Maybe all the personal struggles I spoke about during active duty for families, ie all centered around personal finances, was too much for her so she "ran" away from it all with the first person that came along. She may be one of the victims in all this herself. - Reply to this comment
- Mental health services not available 24/7 is a problem everywhere....not just the VA. I am a retired nurse. Most suicide attempts happen following alcohol ingestion. When is that...either late at night or on a weekend. When is mental health care not available?? (Late at night and on weekends.) As far as the veterans...stop arguing about Bush and support the veterans and help them!! My new son in law is being deployed in 19 days. He might not like Bush either, however, your posts are often very insensitive to the true content of these articles. It is easy to criticize behind the anonymity of your keyboard...but how many of you are doers and actually go out into the world and try to fix all the problems you complain about!!??
Posted by GrammaWhamma at 05:12 AM : May 11, 2007
I want to assure you that I am one of those that talks the talk and walks the walk. I personally am involved with the very things that we have discussed on this board and that is why I speak so passionately about them. I personally want to thank your son in law for his military service. Don't mistake the banter in these comments as a put down to him in any way. Some of us that have lived this life and continue to experience this day to day just have differences in opinions on how we got to this stage and how to overcome it. Alot of us support the military but not exactly the folks that are in charge over them. - Reply to this comment
- These soldiers have been sent into the bowels of hell. They have seen things that no one should see and made to do things they should not have had to. We teach our children, do not fight or hurt anyone, be kind and gentle. Then we send them into hell.
They deserve better when they come back. We have ordinary civilians who get coddled because they have "panic attacts" tending to everyday mudane chores and/or depressed.
This is our history. Send our children into hell and when they come back shove them into an inept
and underfunded medical system. - Reply to this comment
"Sounds to me if you disagree with that law that was passed you are a very uncaring kind of guy. So what kind of guy are you?" Posted by retmilspouse at 12:19 AM : May 11, 2007
Because someone disagrees with a law that was passed means that they are an uncaring kind of person? What kind of person are you and what are your values? How did you get this warped personality? Have you been mistreated?- Reply to this comment
- "You might be one of the VETs that need some mental health services yourself." Posted by retmilspouse at 11:50 PM : May 10, 2007
Wishful thinking on his/her part. This person (retired military spouse - woman?) sounds desparate and miserable and like it when other people are desparate and miserable.
Get some help, lady! Get a life! Collect stamps, butterflies, tea cups, anything to take your mind off your misery. - Reply to this comment
- "You might be one of the VETs that need some mental health services yourself." Posted by retmilspouse at 11:50 PM : May 10, 2007
So what kind of guy are you? The kind that would dump the wife and kids after your military service then pick up a sweetie and take your retiree pay and live happily every after?" Posted by retmilspouse at 12:19 AM : May 11, 2007
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I might be, but I'm not. I think I came through the ordeal quite well. Thank you very much!!
What kind of man am I? It really doesn't matter to you and you would rather believe something bad instead of the truth.
My ex dumped me when I had 15 years service; hardly enough to earn retired pay. And yes, she got the kids and I paid child support. Divorced men didn't get custody very often back then.
Did I pick up a sweetie? Yes, after her divorce from me was final I did re-marry and am still married to the same "sweetie" going on 29 years. And she's still a "sweetie." Totally different than my ex.
Did I take my retired pay? No, I let the U.S. treasury keep it rather than share it [for life!] with my ex and the two-timing bozo she married. After taxes my share wasn't much anyway. LOL!!!
Have I lived happily ever after? You bet your asss I have. Great wife; good job; good health; grandkids are close; ex & bozo live far far away; sunshine 360 days a year! What else could a real man want? - Reply to this comment
- Mental health services not available 24/7 is a problem everywhere....not just the VA. I am a retired nurse. Most suicide attempts happen following alcohol ingestion. When is that...either late at night or on a weekend. When is mental health care not available?? (Late at night and on weekends.) As far as the veterans...stop arguing about Bush and support the veterans and help them!! My new son in law is being deployed in 19 days. He might not like Bush either, however, your posts are often very insensitive to the true content of these articles. It is easy to criticize behind the anonymity of your keyboard...but how many of you are doers and actually go out into the world and try to fix all the problems you complain about!!??
- Reply to this comment
- "down-ndirty, Speaking of shooting from the hip. Why don't you check your facts on the above statement [Uniformed Services Former Spousal Protection Act]. ..." Posted by retmilspouse at 12:19 AM : May 11, 2007
You act pretty smug yourself. LOL!! Jumping to conclusions. LOL!! You must be on the rag! Or are you like that all the time?
You don't need to lecture me on the Uniformed Services Former Spousal Protection Act; I lived it and know all about it and corresponded to/with over 300 congressmen regarding same. In fact, the law is illegal. Military retainer/retired is not community property. And I was not a citizen of a community property state; only happened to be in one on military orders. We are still fighting the USFSPA and have a U.S. Supreme Court appearance within the next few weeks.
Another fact: My wife left me only to marry a guy whom she knew cheated on his first wife. Guess what? He's still cheating on her. LOL!! And to think I worked two part time jobs to support the bittch. As for the kids; they are adults now, and guess who they are closest to? Obviously not her; they can't stand her husband, since they know what he does as a "sport."
Well, she doesn't get a dime of my retired pay. Nor do I. I walked after 22 years active followed by 6 years reserves waiting for the law to be overturned. By then my kids were adults. And I am better off having done that. Used my VA to get an engineering degree and now work in the aerospace industry. - Reply to this comment
- You might be one of the VETs that need some mental health services yourself.
Posted by retmilspouse at 11:50 PM : May 10, 2007
You sound like a very bitter and lonely Vet who, for whatever reason, can not look back without spewing hatred. The past is there and it will be viewed, as always, by the future, not by you. You need to consentrate on the present and what is happening to these men and their families TODAY. George W. Bush is the Worst President in US history, not because he failed to deliever on a pay raise or because he didn't run the military as a small minded person wanted... no he's the worst because he has taken this nation from the leader of the Free World to nothing but a laughing stock. You may not like it but it's there. When your enemy is TERRORIST and your LEADER is the most hated man on the planet you have not just LOST the fight Sparky... you aren't even in the game anymore. The problem with you small minded folks is that YOU think you can just bully everyone with the most powerful Military in the World. Remember that FDR took on the Axis Powers with hardly any Military. The POWER of this nation is and always has, been the PEOPLE. When Politician's seek to divide them for political gain they weeken the strength of the nation. Our Military did NOT win WW II... the AMERICAN PEOPLE did. - Reply to this comment
- You might be one of the VETs that need some mental health services yourself.
Posted by retmilspouse at 11:50 PM : May 10, 2007
You sound like a very bitter and lonely Vet who, for whatever reason, can not look back without spewing hatred. The past is there and it will be viewed, as always, by the future, not by you. You need to consentrate on the Present and what is happening to these men and their families TODAY. George W. Bush is the Worst President in US history, not because he failed to deliever on a pay raise or because he didn't run the military as a small minded person wanted... no he's the worst because he has taken this nation from the leader of the Free World to nothing but a laughing stock. You may not like it but it's there. When your enemy is TERRORIST and your LEADER is the most hated man on the planet you have not just LOST the fight Sparky... you aren't even in the game anymore. The problem with you small minded folks is that YOU think you can just bully everyone with the most powerful Military in the World. Remember that FDR took on the Axis Powers with hardly any Military. - Reply to this comment
- "down-ndirty, You are a smug SOB. I lived it and so did thousands of others that was in that same boat. You weren't on the tarmack at Rhein-Main Airbase listening with hope when your president was speaking. All he did was stab us in the back. So don't tell me how big and bad Ronald Reagan was. You can spin your web of memories anyway you like, but for those of us who were survivors we know the truth. JEC worst president in US history in my book."
Posted by retmilspouse at 12:04 AM : May 11, 2007
----------------------
Ouch!! You are getting nasty. You don't know my mother and you don't know if she is a B* or not, so please leave her out of this. And I'm not smug; I just do my homework.
While you were on the tarmack in Germany I was on the concrete at NAS Miramar listening to the same president. As I recall, Carter inherited increasing ME tension and oil prices from Nixon/Ford. As I also recall, inflation and unemployment continued to rise well into Reagan's term.
Carter worst president? Maybe by your version of history but not according to official history. - Reply to this comment
- You might be one of the VETs that need some mental health services yourself.
Posted by retmilspouse at 11:50 PM : May 10, 2007
You sound like a very bitter and lonely Vet who, for whatever reason, can not look back without spewing hatred. The past is there and it will be viewed, as always, by the future, not by you. You need to consentrate on the Present and what is happening to these men and their families TODAY. George W. Bush is the Worst President in US history, not because he failed to deliever on a pay raise or because he didn't run the military as a small minded person wanted... no he's the worst because he has taken this nation from the leader of the Free World to nothing but a laughing stock. You may not like it but it's there. When your enemy is TERRORIST and your LEADER is the most hated man on the planet you have not just LOST the fight Sparky... you aren't even in the game anymore. - Reply to this comment
- "down-ndirty, You are a smug SOB. I lived it and so did thousands of others that was in that same boat. You weren't on the tarmack at Rhein-Main Airbase listening with hope when your president was speaking. All he did was stab us in the back. So don't tell me how big and bad Ronald Reagan was. You can spin your web of memories anyway you like, but for those of us who were survivors we know the truth. JEC worst president in US history in my book."
Posted by retmilspouse at 12:04 AM : May 11, 2007
----------------------
Ouch!! You are getting nasty. You don't know my mother and you don't know if she is a B* or not, so please leave her out of this. And I'm not smug; I just do my homework.
While you were on the tarmack in Germany I was on the concrete at NAS Miramar listening to the same president. As I recall, Carter inherited increasing ME tension and oil prices from Nixon/Ford. As I also recall, inflation and unemployment continued to rise well into Reagan's term.
Carter worst president? Maybe by your version of history but not according to official history. - Reply to this comment
- "... guess you didn't live in Germany when Jimmy Carter came to the air base and gave us all hope and then all he did was cut the military pay raises." Posted by retmilspouse at 11:50 PM : May 10, 2007
Nope, I didn't live in Germany. I was stationed in SoCal where it isn't a cheap place for the military to live, then or now.
Jimmy Carter cut the military pay raises???? Really???
After looking at the military pay charts during the years from Nixon to Bush43, Carter gave the military the largest pay increases (7.61% average per year) by far. Nixon/Ford was next at 6.83%; Reagan a paltry 5.16% when inflation was over 20%; Bush41 and Clinton dribbled in at 2.98 and 3.11; Bush43, with all his tough talk about "supporting the troops" dribbled in at 4.7%.
Check it out at
http://www.dfas.mil/militarypay/2006militarypaytables.html
Nixon started the economic slide with reduced oil imports that skyrocketed oil prices. It hasn't been the same since. - Reply to this comment
- Repost - -
I would like, to take a moment to remind you.
In 2005, a Republican Committee appeared, before The Congress saying :
The veterans claim, on the PTSD issue was fraudaulant.
They urged the Congress to stop the treatment, of the veteran for the PTSD issue.
Also ! They urged the Congress to stop paying the veteran.
Compsatition for the veterans claim of having : PTSD.
By 1980, five (5) years after the Viet-Nam war had ended.
The combanation of suicide and suicide induced accidents.
Committed by the Viet-Nam combatant, was at fifty two percent. (52%)
Which means : That within five (5) years, after the Viet-Nam war had ended.
Over half of the Viet-Nam combataints. Who had survived the war and returned home.
Were now dead - By their own hand.
The suicide rate of : The veterans of Iraqi, has already begun.
The issue of PTSD is being scrutinized by the American Enterprise Institute.
They are saying : PTSD is a liberal hippie dream.
Lynne Cheney the wife of : V.P. Cheney, is on the board of directors.
This is the real attitude, of the Republican party,
Pres. Bush and V.P. Cheney.
Towards - The Combat Veterans of today.
Extened enlistments.
Extended Tours of Duty.
Hitler conscripted : The Germany Military.
Stalin conscripted : The Russian Military.
Pres. Bush conscripted : The US Military.
Within their own actions - lay - their own true feelings.
Lastdance - Reply to this comment
- Reagan screwwed the military royally when he allowed states to treat the military retiree's "retainer" as community property. Reagan didn't give a ***** about the military. He did his military service in "Hollywood."
down-ndirty,
Speaking of shooting from the hip. Why don't you check your facts on the above statement. You will find that was created so that an active duty memeber who was married and with a family couldn't get a divorce and take his pay and leave the family with nothing. If you were married a certain number of years you were entitled to a percentage of that retired pay. There were guys who carted a family around for 20 or more years and then dumped them without a dime. One of the military family organizations worked through Congress to get that passed. And didn't you say you are the guy that worked 2 part time jobs to feed your family during the lean years. Sounds to me if you disagree with that law that was passed you are a very uncaring kind of guy. So what kind of guy are you? The kind that would dump the wife and kids after your military service then pick up a sweetie and take your retiree pay and live happily every after? - Reply to this comment
- "Please do your homework and stop trying to impress others with your "shooting from the hip."
down-ndirty,
You are a smug SOB. I lived it and so did thousands of others that was in that same boat. You weren't on the tarmack at Rhein-Main Airbase listening with hope when your president was speaking. All he did was stab us in the back. So don't tell me how big and bad Ronald Reagan was. You can spin your web of memories anyway you like, but for those of us who were survivors we know the truth. JEC worst president in US history in my book. - Reply to this comment
- And stop complaining about the `60s and `70s. I was in the military then, and as an enlisted man with a family, managed to make ends meet. Even if it meant working two part-time jobs to do so. My family came first and they never went hungry.
Posted by down-ndirty at 09:17 PM : May 10, 2007
I guess you didn't live in Germany when Jimmy Carter came to the air base and gave us all hope and then all he did was cut the military pay raises. I am glad your family was fed well by you having 2 part time jobs. In Germany back in those days he cut the defense budget which included non appropriated fund jobs genius, and those were the mostly the ones that spouses could get. Housing lists were over a year long and rent on the economy was outrageous because the dollar was not worth ***. So I don't know what world you were living in but it sure wasn't the one I was in. And of course the first part of the 80's were bad, Ronald Reagan was cleaning up Jimmy Carters POOP!!!!! Revise and spin it anyway you want. His track record speaks for itself. You might be one of the VETs that need some mental health services yourself. - Reply to this comment
