Addressing the Root Cause of Our Veterans’ Suicide Epidemic

[rangerrebew]

 
Addressing the Root Cause of Our Veterans’ Suicide Epidemic
By Jack Bergman
July 12, 2024
 
On June 27th, I hosted a Special Order speech on the House floor to raise awareness of veteran Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I chose this date for a reason: June was National PTSD awareness month, and June 27th was National PTSD Awareness Day.

According to the National Center for PTSD, ten percent of all Veterans suffer from PTSD. PTSD is the leading cause of the Veteran suicide epidemic, claiming between 17 and 44 Veteran lives each and every DAY – a cumulative loss of nearly 150,000 Veteran lives since 9/11. This figure is 21 times greater than the 7,000 servicemembers we lost in post-9/11 warzones, making PTSD exponentially more lethal than combat.


To keep my fellow Veterans’ plight at the forefront of American minds, I have made it my mission every day to raise awareness of PTSD. However, it also begs the question of what is being done to help those who suffer. Despite billions of federal dollars spent on addressing PTSD, the number of Veteran lives lost to suicide has not decreased. This is due in part to the fact that the FDA has not approved any new treatments for PTSD in nearly 25 years. This astounding lack of innovation has undoubtedly contributed to our rising Veteran suicide rates over the past two decades.

https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2024/07/12/addressing_the_root_cause_of_our_veterans_suicide_epidemic_1044024.html

[rangerrebew]

I wasn't aware the military was doing much to address the problem, other than a few posters and slogans, much less the ROOT CAUSES.

[rangerrebew]

Looking for a mental health provider? Tricare’s directory may not help

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/health-care/2024/07/11/looking-for-a-mental-health-provider-tricares-directory-may-not-help/

How can root causes be addressed if the troops can't even find a shrink?

[240B]

How can root causes be addressed if the troops can't even find a shrink?

Doesn't matter if they find a VA shrink. I have been to several VA shrinks. Surprised by how many of them were from Muslim countries. The shrink cannot possibly understand what you are saying. They just sit there quietly with a blank look, saying nothing. Then they give you a few 'motivation pamphlets' to read and refer you to group counseling. That is pretty much it.

It is not their fault. They simply cannot comprehend or relate to what you are telling them.

[Bigun]

Doing this would be a damned good start!

https://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,536646.msg3043398/topicseen.html#msg3043398

[Bigun]

Doeshttps://www.gopbriefingroom.com/Smileys/default/sbed_sleep_100-106.gifn't matter if they find a VA shrink. I have been to several VA shrinks. Surprised by how many of them were from Muslim countries. The shrink cannot possibly understand what you are saying. They just sit there quietly with a blank look, saying nothing. Then they give you a few 'motivation pamphlets' to read and refer you to group counseling. That is pretty much it.

It is not their fault. They simply cannot comprehend or relate to what you are telling them.

And that has always been the case. Nothing new.

[DefiantMassRINO]

Returning combat veterans may be physiologically different persons than they were pre-combat.  The changes are real and physical.  They may need to go through a de-stressing process to retrain their brain before re-entering the civilian world.  That may just be the start - to get them in a condition where they can process the help people are trying to give them.

How Trauma and PTSD Change the Brain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdUR69J2u6c

The effect of trauma on the brain and how it affects behaviors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Pg4K1ZKws

Understanding PTSD's Effects on Brain, Body, and Emotions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHDQeIRTgs