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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Veteran Put on Hold by VA Suicide Hotline

A Florida veteran says he was repeatedly put on hold for up to ten minutes at a time when trying to call the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide hotline.

U.S. Air Force veteran Ted Koran told ABC Action News in Tampa Bay that he was experiencing suicidal thoughts following the death of his wife six months ago and tried to reach out to the VA hotline.

The U.S. Air Force veteran first called the James Haley VA Center in Tampa, where a recording gave him the 800 number to the hotline.

Koran said he was placed on hold for 10 minutes.

“I had to sit there patiently, in emotional distress, in tears, wanting to give up, desperately needing someone to talk to,” Koran said.

More here

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ted is a wonderful man. The death of his wife Karen has devastated him. Together they ran a sanctuary for 60 animals which Ted is still trying to keep running today. As the rescue community in Florida was made aware of what happened people are stepping in to help him. What happened to him is unacceptable and our government should be ashamed. Thank God he is still here today to receive help from his community.