The VA has boosted its funding, but Congress's latest attempt lacks a pay-for.
The Fort Hood shooting is an extreme and shocking example of what has become a chronic concern for the military: soldiers with mental-health problems taking their own lives.
And it's not just the active-duty military who face what has become an increasingly daunting problem.
At least 22 veterans commit suicide each day, according to the Veterans Affairs Department. This adds up to more than 2,000 veterans killing themselves so far this year alone, and the military community is facing what advocates refer to as a suicide epidemic.
To help address the growing problem, Democratic Sen. John Walsh of Montana introduced legislation last week that includes provisions to force the Pentagon to reexamine troops who were discharged for PTSD-related behaviors—which can include nightmares, flashbacks, changes in personality, sleeping disorders, and suicidal thoughts.
The bill also expands veterans' eligibility to enroll in VA health care from five to 15 years after leaving the military. The current system doesn't take into account the fact that some veterans have a delayed reaction to trauma after they leave the service, according to veterans' advocates.
Walsh, who is one of the first Iraq War combat veterans to serve in the Senate, is also a member of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which backs the bill. Fifty-one percent of Iraq or Afghanistan War veterans know someone who has attempted or committed suicide, according to a Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation survey released this week.
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Suicides are up all along the spectrum of young males in or out of the service. It is so tragic. This generation feels so disconnected. They are told that they are the first generation that will do worse than their parents. How horrid to think that. The American dream had died to these young people and the media has driven that point home. There is always a reason to live. Always... with no exception.
ReplyDeleteIf the commander in chief did himself in the majority of troop losses would end. I believe he is the most detrimental influence in the military today.
ReplyDeleteStop big PHARMA thats how!
ReplyDeleteand the ones that survive, which have PTSD and other mental issues, come home and become cops.
ReplyDeleteI believe that is, at least partially, the reason we have seen such an uptick in police brutality, crimes committed by cops, and having pets killed by cops.
These are in ADDITION to the crimes caused by non-military cops.
Suicides have been a part of the military for many years since war began.
ReplyDeleteWe hear more about it now because it's not hushed up. The military wouldn't speak of it or the MSM .
The military teaches you how to kill , this is not natural and those that have any religion or ethics feel the shame when taking another life.
It's a very tough thing to deal with , believe me.
Having said that , the government can't stop it , and I don't know how to .
I guess if you look at it as a job (killing another) which it is , then maybe that would help.
One of the ten commandments is , thou shall not kill.
Remember , the military instructs you how to kill search and destroy. Not good for anybody to think about.
We teach civilians just the opposite. How do we coop ?