My son is doing better and going to the VA in Biloxi, MS. But it took his getting to a very scary place for both him and my family to get to where we are now. He is going to the VA at least once a week and meeting with a PTSD group and they have him on medication. Even though I am happy and relieved to say that at this point he is no longer suicidal, he still has some very bad days.

There are several issues that I want to address and hope to be able to over time, but for now. I want to bring to you attention the issue of suicide. Suicide among our returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans is on the rise. Back in late 2007, to ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began operation of a national suicide prevention hotline for veterans. Veterans can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press “1″ to reach the VA hotline, which will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y. who will work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers.

Back in late 2007, about month after the start of the new hotline. VA Watchdog dot org reported that 4,500 people had already called the hotline. Of those, 100 were admitted to Va Hospitals. I couldn’t fine any number on how many received outpatient help, like my son. But they do report at that time, some 50,000 troops were retuning from the War/Combat zones with some type of combat related mental health stress.

From the VA’s Mental Health page

Suicide is the 11th most frequent cause of death in the US:  someone dies from suicide every 16 minutes.  Suicidal ideas and attempts to harm oneself are the result of problems that may seem like they can’t be fixed. Get help if you notice any of the following:

• Talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
• Trying to get pills, guns, or other ways to harm oneself
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
• Hopelessness
• Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
• Acting in a reckless or risky way
• Feeling trapped, like there’s no way out
• Saying or feeling there’s no reason for living

The newest patients to the VA have been returning combat soldiers, men and women who served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (OEF/OIF). In a recent study, Dr. Karen Seal and colleagues at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and USC, reviewed  records for over 100,000 veterans,  who separated from active duty between 2001-2005 and sought care from VA medical facilities.   The most common combination of diagnoses found was post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Young soldiers were three times as likely as those over 40 to be diagnosed with PTSD and/or another mental health disorder. Most mental health problems were first identified during visits with primary care doctors, not with mental health professionals. Here is a Suicide Prevention Letter from the Under Secretary of Health.