Are you aware that hundreds of thousands of veterans are refused treatment for injuries and illnesses they suffered while in combat?

Statistics are showing that 120 soldiers are taking their lives each week. Suicide has become an epidemic, but the government does not want to talk about it.  

Advocates are demanding to see records so the proper help can be administered before it is too late. Veterans Affairs and Government Agencies are ignoring requests.  No one is showing records or numbers and the government is making believe that this problem does not exist.

Beyond the individual loss, it turns out little information exists about how widespread suicides are among those who have served in the military. There have been some studies, but no one has ever counted the numbers nationwide.  Why?  The reason is that they do not want the true numbers of casualties to really be known.  I do not know about you but this makes me furious as an American citizen.  Something needs to be done now before it is too late. 

The veteran’s rights groups are accusing The Department of Veteran Affairs of not doing enough to stem a looming mental health crisis among veterans. As part of the lawsuit, internal e-mails raise questions as to whether top officials deliberately deceived the American public about the number of veterans attempting and committing suicide.

Attorneys for veterans’ rights groups accused the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs of nothing less than a cover-up – deliberately concealing the real risk of suicide among veterans.

Advocates for veterans strongly believe that the system is in crisis and unfortunately, the VA is in denial.

Horrific cases of suicide are happening each day.  Here are a just a few cases told by the families of these brave soldiers.

Twenty-three-year-old Marine Reservist Jeff Lucey hanged himself with a garden hose in the cellar of this parents’ home – where his father, Kevin, found him.  “There’s a crisis going on and people are just turning the other way,” Kevin Lucey said.

Kim and Mike Bowman’s son Tim was an Army reservist who patrolled one of the most dangerous places in Baghdad, known as Airport Road.
“His eyes when he came back were just dead. The light wasn’t there anymore,” Kim Bowman said. Eight months later, on Thanksgiving Day, Tim shot himself. He was 23.

Diana Henderson’s son, Derek, served three tours of duty in Iraq. He died jumping off a bridge at 27.

Video: 18 Veterans A Day Are Committing Suicide

http://bubble-cast.com

The Warning Signs

Here is a list of resources for how to find help and recognize the warning signs of mental health issues that could also be warning signs for suicide.

Talking about wanting to hurt themselves

Talking about wanting to kill themselves

Trying to get guns

Trying to find ways to harm themselves

Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide

Hopelessness

Rage, uncontrolled anger

Acting in a reckless or risky way

Feeling trapped, like there’s no way out

Saying or feeling there’s no reason for living

Calling old friends, particularly military friends, to say goodbye

Cleaning a weapon that they may have as a souvenir

Obsessed with news coverage of the war, the military channel

Wearing their uniform or part of their uniform, boots, etc

Sleeping more (sometimes the decision to commit suicide brings a sense of peace of mind, and they sleep more to withdraw)

Becoming overprotective of children

Standing guard of the house, perhaps while everyone is asleep staying up to “watch over” the house, obsessively locking doors, windows

If they are on medication, stopping medication and/or hording medication

Hording alcohol — not necessarily hard alcohol

Spending spree, buying gifts for family members and friends “to remember by”

Defensive attitude like “you wouldn’t understand.”

When they stop making eye contact or speaking with others

What to Do You If You Think Someone Is Having Suicidal Thoughts

Ask questions:

“Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

“Have you ever tried to hurt yourself before?”

“Do you think you might try to hurt yourself today?”

“Have you thought of ways that you might hurt yourself?”

“Do you have pills/weapons in the house?”

This will not increase the person’s suicidal thoughts. It will give you information that indicates how strongly the person has thought about killing him- or herself.

If you think the person might harm him- or herself, do not leave the person alone.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK. You will be connected to the nearest available crisis center

Or go to SAMHSA’s Mental Health Services Locator http://mentalhealth.com/samhsa.gov/databases/

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator http://dasis3.samhsa.gov

Organizations That Can Help

VA’s suicide hotline at (800) 273-TALK (8255)

www.mentalhealth

http://dasis3.samhsa.gov

To find the closest Dept of Veterans Affairs facility to you that have mental health professionals, go to http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1 and type in your zip code to find veteran clinics near you.

What we do as individuals?

Create Petitions and send them to your local council and/our government

Write letters to the media

Write to your local newspapers

Create blogs

Call your local TV stations

Create an advocacy group

They survived the war, but they are not surviving civilian life.  Soldiers are suffering from emotional problems due to the horrific events they have witnessed in war and something needs to be done now for these American heroes. The horrors of what they experienced from the war are destroying their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

The veterans fought to protect us, now we need to fight for them and make sure they get the help they need before it is too late.

“The price of freedom is very high, we as a nation often time forget but to the family and friends of the men and women who pay the price they never forget.” – Quoted by Fred Rendon

Visit this advocate site:  http://www.veteranshelp.com/

Returning from the War on Terrorism

By Bruce C. Brown

Reviewed by Julie Scott

The “Buddy System” works well when buddies cooperate.  They watch each other through thick and thin, offer help when the going gets tough and rejoice together in the accomplishments earned by the other buddy.  A buddy system is recommended for risky or dangerous situations: swimming, gymnastics, class work … and WAR.

A tour of duty ends and the buddies go to their separate homes … alone.  Each becomes a civilian, a combat veteran discharged from service.  Most come home with special needs and no buddy to help out.  They have benefits, yet no idea where to get them or who to contact.

Finding the Benefits That Are Right For You

Meet your new buddy: Returning from the War on Terrorism: What Every Veteran Needs to Know to Receive Your Maximum Benefits written by Bruce C. Brown.  It is one of those handbooks that should be given to each member of the military as they prepare for separation from active duty.

This handbook is organized into chapters arranged in accordance with the evolution of a veteran.  The introduction sets the pace for the entire book, covering information about the main organization available to all veterans, The Veterans Administration Organization, which is divided into several units.  Collectively, the units are referred to as the VA.

Upon honorable, medical and/or general discharge from active military service, the veteran has a general eligibility for VA benefits automatically.  The degree of eligibility and the benefits each veteran can claim must be determined … by the VA.

The information in this handbook travels from the definition of a veteran, separating from the military into “normal” civilian life, guiding the reader through the veteran’s healthcare system, explaining disability benefits and compensation. Available benefits don’t stop there.  Life insurance, guaranteed home loans, scholarships, grants and other aid, education and training programs, relief for homeless veterans, survivor’s benefits and funeral/burial and memorial benefits are among the additional.

This book is very well-written and an easy read.  As a matter-of-fact, it is sure to get a second reading to absorb the gold mine of information between the covers of this book.  The author mentions that the book is the result of his personal crusade to make veteran entitlements known to those who need them most.  His stated mission transforms this book of information into the veteran’s new best buddy.

Chapters 7 and 8 are most noteworthy as the bounty of information is geared toward all the veterans and not just the recently separated ones.  Practical, useful, current information is presented clearly and augmented with tables and helpful lists which are immediately useful and easy to follow.  Phone numbers are provided where most needed.

This title is available as a paperback copy from your favorite bookstore as well as from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com at a very reasonable cost in proportion to the amount and quality of information it provides.  Family members will find it most helpful as well.  Yes, the author has accomplished his mission.  Here is a veteran’s new best buddy … it could be the chicken soup for those Returning from the War on Terrorism.

Secretary Eric K. Shinseki spoke in front of Congress making it known to the American people that is well of the problems that Veterans face and that he is going to everything in his power to improve Veteran Affairs.

At the meeting, Chairman Filner welcomed the Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to the hearing by saying, “You are a man of great courage and intellectual honesty.  You have been called a ‘soldier’s soldier,’ which is one of the highest accolades your troops can give to you.  We look to you to care for the Nation’s veterans now under your command in the same way.  I look forward to working with you to transform the VA into a 21st century Department.”  Shinseki is a former Army chief of staff, is taking over the government’s second largest agency.

You could see in his statement that he respects Secretary Shinseki and everything he has done so far to advocate for the veterans.  This is definitely a good start for 2009.  There words displayed hope and positive change for veterans and their families.  It is clear that he is going to fight hard to provide the services to help Veterans.  His speech and body language showed that he cares a great deal for the Veterans.  We care,” Shinseki said in testimony prepared for a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday.  He also said that he accepted this job (challenge) because he cares and wants to see a positive transformation. 

  
Secretary Shinseki discussed his proposals and goals for the VA.  He was quoted saying, “I intend to encourage teamwork, reward initiative, seek innovation, and demand the highest levels of integrity, transparency and performance in leading the Department through the fundamental and comprehensive change it must quickly undergo, if it is to be transformational.  People induce change, not technology or processes, so transformation is ultimately a leadership issue.” 

Some of the goals and promises he made were as follows:

1.     Secretary Shinseki discussed the backlog on benefits claims and the need to move to a paperless, electronic benefits claims system in order to expedite and streamline claims processing.  He promised that he would work hard to obtain this goal.

2.     He also was going to develop one single electronic medical record that follows the veteran from the military to the VA.

3.     He set a goal of putting this system in place by 2012.

4.     Shinseki will also be working on putting together a timely budget for the VA and eliminate the need for continuing resolutions that hamper planning.

5.     The Secretary Shinseki also mentioned that he has been working closely with Department of Defense Secretary Robert Gates to improve the transition process from military to civilian life. 

Shinseki also discussed the progress the VA has made in PTSD:

Improving post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis and treatment and working with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.  Shinseki cited that in 2008, the VA was able to intervene and help prevent more than 700 cases of veterans contemplating suicide.

Secretary Shinseki realizes that it is important give back to the Veterans because they have devoted their life to helping the America people.  He plans to do everything in his power to give them everything they deserve.

One of his statements was as follows:

“The privilege of leading the VA is a noble calling,” stated Shinseki.  “I look at it as an opportunity to give back to our veterans.”

Secretary Shinseki is going to be committed to being a visible leader and he plans to meet with veterans around the country to learn firsthand of the issues they are dealing with. 

His background in the military has already shown us that he is a man that understands the importance of responsibility and getting results.  So many veterans view the VA as ‘Veterans Adversary’ and the Secretary is off to a great start to ensure that veterans will view the VA as ‘Veterans Advocate.’”

Shinseki, a former Army chief of staff, is taking over the government’s second largest agency.  In his testimony, Shinseki said he would review the “fundamentals in every line of operation” to ensure that veterans receive “timely access to the highest quality of benefits and services.”

He closed with a quote that I thought was magnificent, “I intend to … demand the highest levels of integrity, transparency and performance in leading the department through the fundamental and comprehensive change it must quickly undergo,” Shinseki said. “There’s a long tradition of VA providing leadership in medicine, of setting standards in many fields. Where we lead, we must continue. Where we do not, we must regain that leadership.”  

Now this is the attitude that all Americans should carry. “Where we lead, we must continue. Where we do not, we must regain that leadership. Now this is what America is all about – leadership and results that make a difference to better the lives of the American People.

The Medical Benefits Package is based on active military service and not limited to combat service. There are more services available at more intensive levels for those with service-connected disabilities rated at 70% or more. Both men and women veterans are subject to the same levels of service which are described in the Medical Benefits Package available online or from the Veterans Administration.

Home Health Care

Home Health Care is professional medical or therapeutic services offered in the home of a veteran with chronic diseases or are homebound due to accident, injury or service-connected disability. Nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy or a range of social services are available through the Veterans Administration for eligible veterans. The VA will make the total, partial or marginal payment for the necessary services.

Some examples of needs that can be filled by home health care benefits include:

• Homemaker services for grocery shopping, housecleaning or cooking
• Home Health Aides will assist with personal care activities
• Nursing professionals to monitor medications or post-surgical dressing changes
• Physical therapists identify and assist with strength/mobility issues
• Occupational therapists help with re-learning daily activities after stroke or neurological injury or disease
• Speech therapists identify and assist in issues where re-learning is necessary, both speaking and word identification

Any of these services are available to eligible veterans for intermittent, transitional or short-term on a needs-determined basis according to the Veterans Administration. Other health care programs which may be available to the veteran must be utilized first. Skilled home health care through the VA is available after any other health care program benefits have been exhausted and an on-going need is determined by the VA.

Outsourcing Care Where Necessary

The Veterans Healthcare Agency may find it necessary to seek services from state-licensed community resources for a time period not to exceed 30 days if that agency has the available staffing and the VA does not. A Determination of Need must be issued by the VA after evaluations are completed and the veteran is awarded and placed with the appropriate agency for service.

There are waiting lists, eligibility lists and enrollment lists. All of these are maintained in accordance with allotted annual budgetary monies available for these services. The Electronic Waiting List is for veterans in need, or are seeking, home health care and budget resources have been drained.

Purchased Home Health Care Services

When money is not available to provide home health care, the veteran is wait-listed. Priority in budgeting goes to eligible veterans who have, or are in need of, nursing home care due to a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more. Of course, any veteran who needs home health care and is willing to purchase all or part of the services will be accommodated. The veteran who is purchasing home health care is able to request specific resources which will be considered.

One-third of veterans receiving purchased home health care will be contacted to ensure that authorized services are being received as expected. This monitoring is part of the upgraded quality control put in place by the Veterans Administration.

Enrollment Restrictions

The past several years have brought an influx of combat veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq. As a result, certain eligibility restrictions for access to health care benefits have been implemented. The Secretary is required by law to make adjustments in eligibility. All veterans are still eligible for health care benefits, but for now they are wait-listed. This also means that specialized areas of health care, such as home health care requests, are going to be scrutinized more than any time in the past. Frequent changes in eligibility will be posted at www.va.gov/healtheligibility and all home health care information is located in publication 1140.6 which can be printed from http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1139.