Why?

[layoutshooter]

What is going on with so many veteran suicides? Is it the drugs they are pumping so many vets with? Why the higher percentage of older vets? Economics? Lack of intervention when they were younger? Our veterans deserve better. They answered the call, why are they in such trouble? It is a very sad state of affairs with suicides deaths out number combat deaths.




[h=1]U.S. military veteran suicides rise, one dies every 65 minutes[/h]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The most extensive study yet by the U.S. government on suicide amongmilitary veterans shows more veterans are killing themselves than previously thought, with 22 deaths a day - or one every 65 minutes, on average.


The study released on Friday by the Department of Veterans Affairs covered suicides from 1999 to 2010 and compared with a previous, less precise VA estimate that there were roughly 18 veteran deaths a day in the United States.


More than 69 percent of veteran suicides were among individuals aged 50 years or older, the VA reported.


"This data provides a fuller, more accurate, and sadly, an even more alarming picture of veteran suicide rates," said Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington state, who has championed legislation to strengthen mental health care for veterans.


The news came two weeks after the U.S. military acknowledged that suicides hit a record in 2012, outpacing combat deaths, with 349 active-duty suicides - almost one a day.


That was despite sharper focus at the leadership level at the Pentagon and VA on the suicide problem, and came during an overall rise in suicides in the United States. The number of suicides in the United States rose 11 percent from 2007 to 2010, the VA said.


The VA did not provide raw data and acknowledged its national figures were still estimates. The new study was based on data collected from 21 states in which military status is reported on the death certificate. It said more data from more states were being processed.


Reuters last year obtained less-detailed data for the 2005-to-2010 period from 32 states, also showing a significant rise in the number of suicides among the country's 23 million veterans.


The VA said that while the number of veteran suicides had risen, the percentage of all suicides in America identified as "veteran" declined from 1999 to 2003 and had remained relatively constant in recent years.


The VA said the data would help it better identify where at-risk veterans may be located and improve targeting of specific suicide intervention and outreach activities.


"We have more work to do and we will use this data to continue to strengthen our suicide prevention efforts," Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said in a statement.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Peter Cooney)







U.S. military veteran suicides rise, one dies every 65 minutes - Yahoo! News

 

[denny2010]

I will say this. Being deployed many times it is hard on all. The military doesn't care. Spouses try to help but what can they really do. If we need help for something it just gets pushed away. Theres groups out there for help. I like to keep my issues with loved ones. No need to let big brother try to fix what they cant fix. And if you haven't been in our boots i dont care to listen to your opinion. Then you leave the service hoping to get a job and live a normal life, but its hard to find one. Stress & feeling like you cant achieve anything is the main reason soldiers are pushed to the end. No one cares. We are all guilty of looking away at folks in need. Some charitable places say they help but they dont. One big charity says and has a pretty logo is a fake. Get you to donate and does other things with the money.

 

[sthfl2000]

As a USAF Veteran myself, i can speak on this issue. The last post is dead on. To add to that, the VA hospitals are junk. The job market for Veterans is terrible. The way society as a whole view our military, especially since Obama took office, is very negative. All in all, it use to proud to be in the service but now many are being shunned for having been and hence the morality issues which some cant handle. Cant make a living on the outside and with that comes the embarrassment and feeling of inadequate which also leads to death. To change this pattern, would have the change the world as a whole from leadership to economy to jobs to society to military.

 

[layoutshooter]

I have found the VA hospitals to be pretty good for the most part. Then again I have been rather lucky. I have been going to the VA in Ann Arbor MI since 2000 and have had the same primary care doctor the entire time. My Dad also has the same doctor. I seldom have to wait for my appointment times, at least in primary care. The ONLY places I have had to wait was in the eye clinic an emergicare.

I had a minor surgery a few years back and that went well, no infections etc. It sorta fixed the problem, but no in total.

We do get a LOT of student doctors there, which is fine, they are never alone. The VA in Ann Arbor is tied into the U of M medical school.

I am more concerned with the lack of metal health care, or more likely, poor care. They seem to concentrate on pumping guys full of drugs and sending them on their way. In fairness, those clinics are understaffed and under funded. There is also no type of care for "non-combat" "PTSD", for lack of a better term. Many vets had jobs that caused "systems" that are ignored.

In general this is a country that asks much of those serving in the military and then discards them when we are finished with them.

Generally speaking all vets have been shortchanged on their needs since the WWII vets got out and Vietnam/Cold War vets, including Korea, got it stuck in their ear.

You are right, things are getting worse, much worse, under Obama. He treats illegals better than vets.

 

[skyraider]

I have only had good things happen at Nashville, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, and Chattanooga centers. Ct's, all kind of exams, blood work, heart stuff, mental stuff, blood pressure stuff, double exams on chest x rays when the x rays of last year look different from this years and they ct'd that one again..........eye exams, and a ton more I cant remember and never a bad experience, but then again, I never got a wound in war time and no lost limbs at the moment......... that's it.

 

[layoutshooter]

Many wounded soldiers that I know are having a rough time of it. Sub-standard wound care and ill fitting limbs are leading to infections.

Then there is the more serious problem of sending wounded soldiers back into combat who should not be there.

Example:

Michigan resident, Paul, 3 Purple Hearts now, two when he went to Afghanistan last time. Missing part of his left calf, about the size of a baseball, has a hole in his back the size of a tennis ball and now with his fourth traumatic brain injury. He had three of those before his last deployment. All injuries due to IED explosions. Add to that his having gone through, what my nephew call's, a lot of bad "STUFF" (insert the correct word there if you choose), and you have a brave young man who is REALLY messed up.

Rest assured he will NOT get the care or support he needs.

 

[cheri1122]

As a USAF Veteran myself, i can speak on this issue. The last post is dead on. To add to that, the VA hospitals are junk. The job market for Veterans is terrible. The way society as a whole view our military, especially since Obama took office, is very negative.

Huh? I have never seen a greater public display of appreciation for vets than since Obama took office! There's not a day goes by without someone posting a "Thank a vet" tribute on facebook, and aside from Load One's 2 new military appreciation themed t/ts, I know of 2 other O/O trucks with graphics highlighting gratitude for the vets' sacrifices - and none of these existed 5 years ago.
I agree that the government's treatment of military personnel seems pretty stingy, but society's view of them is pretty much as heroes, the last few years.

I didn't comment before, because I've never been in your boots, but one thing struck me about the statistics: the age at which suicide is most frequent is 50+. That leads me to wonder whether the problem is that the older ones have more trouble coping with the changes in today's military, because the older we get, [in general] the less well we handle change.
I'm pretty sure that one major factor is the tough job situation faced by returning vets, where, again, age isn't doing them any favors.

All in all, it use to proud to be in the service but now many are being shunned for having been and hence the morality issues which some cant handle. Cant make a living on the outside and with that comes the embarrassment and feeling of inadequate which also leads to death. To change this pattern, would have the change the world as a whole from leadership to economy to jobs to society to military.

 

[LDB]

Is there any possibility that the recent major policy changes to the military have an effect on the over 50 generation, those primarily once removed, if at all removed, from the greatest generation ever? Those who remember and value the military that once was? Perhaps some of them are collateral damage, unintended consequences.

 

[LDB]

I have never seen a greater public display of appreciation for vets than since Obama took office!

More and more people going out of their way to show appreciation to those willing to serve under the worst CiC in history?

 

[layoutshooter]

"Huh? I have never seen a greater public display of appreciation for vets than since Obama took office! There's not a day goes by without someone posting a "Thank a vet" tribute on facebook, and aside from Load One's 2 new military appreciation themed t/ts, I know of 2 other O/O trucks with graphics highlighting gratitude for the vets' sacrifices - and none of these existed 5 years ago."



Cheri,

You are sorta right, there are a people today who express their thanks for what those who serve in the military do, but not society in general.

The government, this administration in specifically, is doing everything it can to ignore or even hurt them. From changes in their health care that has seen a drastic increase in the use of certain types of drugs to calling veterans a "Threat" to the government. IF some GOOD studies were done. IF the TRUTH were ever to come out, I believe that everyone would see that it is this administrations actions that has lead to the increase in suicides and it was deliberate. It costs FAR less to bury a vet than to care for that vet.

Just as all those at Ft. Lewis who ran afoul of this administrations policies.

Since it would seem that many agree with what this administration is doing, then they also agree with what he is doing to veterans. Like drugging them to death, and putting them on "watch lists", I mean, after all, they just MAY decide to live up to their oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

I also know about the trucks you speak of and know those involved are doing what they believe is right, they do a good thing. In many cases though, the "thanks" we hear is just the "style" of the times. There is often no meaning behind it. I kinda fits into the "some of my best friends are negro" statements made by bigots in the '60's.

 

[cheri1122]

I can't speak to what the government is doing to or for the military and vets, I was just contradicting the statement that society views them negatively, cause that's not what I see.
And yes, a great deal of it is simply grandstanding, or just following the crowd, but it's still a far better attitude than those vets returning from Vietnam got.
My concern is how their families are managing on such low pay while the soldiers are gone, and what sort of jobs they will come home to - if they can't make ends meet or find a decent job, what were they risking their lives for, anyway?

 

[layoutshooter]

I can't speak to what the government is doing to or for the military and vets, I was just contradicting the statement that society views them negatively, cause that's not what I see.
And yes, a great deal of it is simply grandstanding, or just following the crowd, but it's still a far better attitude than those vets returning from Vietnam got.
My concern is how their families are managing on such low pay while the soldiers are gone, and what sort of jobs they will come home to - if they can't make ends meet or find a decent job, what were they risking their lives for, anyway?

Not just those who returned from Vietnam. Keep in mind that those who fought in another theater of the "Cold War", like Vietnam was, the Korean War also known as the "Forgotten War", were treated like garbage as well. True, they were not spit on in airports or refused work because of their service, but the attitude that lead to that started then.

Those families have to live with low wages while they are gone just as every generation in the past has had to do. Not quite as bad as those in WWII through Vietnam did, but it is bad.

Why are they risking their lives? Don't get me going on that one. It is personal for me.

 

[cheri1122]

Not just those who returned from Vietnam. Keep in mind that those who fought in another theater of the "Cold War", like Vietnam was, the Korean War also known as the "Forgotten War", were treated like garbage as well. True, they were not spit on in airports or refused work because of their service, but the attitude that lead to that started then.

Those families have to live with low wages while they are gone just as every generation in the past has had to do. Not quite as bad as those in WWII through Vietnam did, but it is bad.

My dad was in the Navy in the late 40's, he had no problem finding a decent job after discharge. My brother was a Marine in the late 60's, and ditto for him: jobs were plentiful, and paid a living wage.
That isn't the case for today's vets, and I am pretty sure the knowledge has a seriously depressing effect on them - they deserve better.


Why are they risking their lives? Don't get me going on that one. It is personal for me.

I didn't ask 'why' [which has a brazillion answers, one for each person], I asked 'what for' which is a whole different subject.

 

[layoutshooter]

Sorry Cheri, I thought you were talking about what the families of those who were deployed were having to contend with. I misunderstood. That has not changed, ever. If anything it is a bit better now than before.

By the time I got out, in 1973, vets were being denied jobs because of their military service. We were also at a disadvantage because, while we were being drafted and serving, women were not. Those with deferments were not. Even the cowards that ran to Canada got a better shake. They were taking jobs, gaining seniority, so that when we finally DID manage to get a job, we were the first laid off. We were not able to gain seniority, we were drafted.

When I applied to fight fires with the National Park Service, a job I was doing my last six weeks in the military in Everglades National park, I was not able to get that job due to a Federal hiring freeze. At the time there were fires raging in the Park and there were only two full time firefighters there. When the coward draft dodgers were 'pardoned' many were placed into that same National Park Fire Service, at full pay, to help make up for their sins. Fine way to treat a vet.

 

[sthfl2000]

So much to say...but why bother. For those who served in or around someone in their family, you know the changes that have become as I expressed earlier. If your sheltered or shallow in your views because of some truck images or simply words of thanks without substance, then my point exactly. Bottom line is when you have a commander in chief (cic) that has no care what so ever with regard to the service, and was re-elected into the highest office of the military, then society as a whole, not just some trucks, has very little respect for service members and their families. Budget cuts, weapons depletion, pay freezes, drawback in retirement income as well as healthcare, a depressed economy that hinders job placement for after service, hell the federal government itself refused to hold jobs for reservist going on tours...the list goes on and on...

Then our Foreign Relations policies...our cic kill list...the new era ally list...government coverups when lives are lost...the changing of the constitution through executive orders and/or laws...the infringements of our God given rights...basically the changing of America via the New World Order has left many Country loving veterans to ask why and about the same amount currently asking themselves for what.

The issues are very deep...a simple thank you is never enough when your love of something is so valued inside and your seeing it being drastically changed and supported by your fellow man via elections. Those lives serving now deserve better across the spectrum...and for that matter every Country loving USA Citizen in general deserves better!

Well...I said more than I told myself I was going to already...so I will stop now...lol
Just know that there are a lot of reasons why you're seeing what you are...be open minded, do your own homework if you really want a deep understanding of the issues and don't get stuck in tunnel vision.

Actions speak louder than words and images...and I'll leave it at that.

 

[sthfl2000]

I forgot to mention that the reason you see so many attributes on transportation vehicles, I.e. tractors, trailers and the like, is because a good many of drivers are either veterans or reservists or family members of a service member and the one industry that appreciates hard working, honest, disciplined and honorable employees or independents has always been the transportation industry in general...now grant it some in the industry today have none of the above characteristics...just goes to show how the society has changed..case in point.

 

[layoutshooter]

Cheri was talking about an expediter that has vets autograph her truck to show her thanks for their service. It is very real and heartfelt unlike much of the "thank you for your service" BS that is spouted these days.

 

[cheri1122]

As Los says, "thank you for serving" has become as empty as "how are you?" and "have a nice day", but some are saying it with actions as well. Like Susie, whose truck is a moving [in both senses of the word] tribute.
Others, including myself, have sent 'care packages' to soldiers serving overseas, taking advantage of the USPS one rate for whatever fits service. I was given the name of a Sgt, and knowing only that the unit is in desert conditions, I had a great time filling the box with food [pop tarts, popcorn, potted meat, trail mix] drink powders, toiletries, colorful bandannas, and even some toys [kazoo, whoopie cushion, frisbee] and getting every last cranny full with hard candies, ending with a little card saying 'Thank you for what you are doing for the rest of us!" and sending it to an APO address.
It's something I'd forgotten [and wouldn't have mentioned it anyhow], but it occurs to me now that others are surely doing it too, and if not, they should be. Most every soldier serving overseas has family [which is where I got the Sgt's name: from my niece, who had been sending boxes to her cousin], and I hope they are doing the same.
It's little enough - but it's something we can all do, if we have a family member serving overseas [because a specific name is required - you can't just send stuff to a generic 'serviceperson']: 'adopt' them [or a member of their unit] and send thanks in a form they could use. Because they're worth it.

 

[layoutshooter]

People could also take their magazines and paperbacks down to a VA hospital or veteran's home. I take mine to the VA hospital when I have appointments there. They get a nice stack every 3 months or so.

 

[cheri1122]

I don't have any mags or books - how about asking, next time you go, whether they would accept a box of microwave popcorn & hard candies [all individually wrapped] for general distribution?
If so, plenty of drivers would drop off a box at a nearby VA hospital, while on layover.....