So the VA is expanding it’s coverage for urgent mental health care huh?
Kind of late there fellas. For years, the suicide rate of Veterans has been increasing at a staggering rate. Thousand upon thousands of my Brothers and Sisters are dead, because they couldn’t get the help that was promised to them.
Their blood is on your hands. Sure, NOW you’re implementing more expansive measures, but what about the past several years? The VA could have been doing so much more to help the Men and Women that have bled and fought for our Nation. But you didn’t. You sat there. Doing nothing.
Veterans Suicide Hotline- 800-273-8255
Some will say, “…it was their choice to commit suicide…..they were selfish….nobody at the VA pulled the trigger…”
And to those people I say, STFU! I am constantly on the phone, or meeting with fellow Veterans to try and help. I spend hours and hours talking these guys and gals out of doing something stupid. To those who are like me and trying to help I say, you’re not alone in this fight.
Most of these Veterans that are suffering from PTSD, Depression and Solitude; feel like they have nowhere else to turn, or no one to listen. And for years they haven’t. Now the VA is stepping up their efforts. Now they are trying to become more involved. “Johnny come lately” there VA. Many, like myself, have been in this fight for a while now. You’re late to the party.
Veterans Suicide Hotline- 800-273-8255
Fox News Reports:
The Department of Veterans Affairs will offer urgent mental health care beginning this summer to thousands of former service members with less-than-honorable discharges, part of its expanded initiative to stem stubbornly high rates of suicide.
VA Secretary David Shulkin said Wednesday the additional coverage was needed to help former service members who are more likely to have mental health distress. He said the department couldn’t wait for legislation and needed to act now, noting that the vast majority of veterans who took their lives had not been connected to VA care.
“This is a national emergency that requires bold action,” Shulkin said. “Far too many veterans have fallen victim to suicide, roughly 20 every day.”
By June or July, the VA said it will specifically provide the mental health care to those with “other than honorable” discharges from the military, typically for misconduct such as violence or use of illegal drugs. Currently, such discharges can prevent veterans from receiving federal benefits. (Read More)