Paul Rieckhoff: Veterans' Suicides: The War Casualties You Aren't Hearing About

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From HuffPost:


Paul Rieckhoff


05.21.2007
Veterans' Suicides: The War Casualties You Aren't Hearing About (7 comments )

Jeffrey Lucey (1981-2004)
Joshua Omvig (1983-2005)
Jonathan Schulze (1981-2007)

Like countless others, each of these young men served honorably in Iraq, but came home unable to cope with their memories of combat. Each one sought help from the military or from the Department of Veterans Affairs. But in each case, the hospital was overbooked, the counselors didn't listen, or the bureaucracy moved too slowly.

Only months after their return from war, each of these young heroes committed suicide.

How did this happen? Simply because the veterans' support system is overwhelmed. Over 50,000 Iraq veterans have already been diagnosed with PTSD. Tens of thousands are waiting for VA appointments. One-third of Vet Centers (walk-in counseling clinics for combat veterans and their families) lack adequate counseling staff. Even a VA official has admitted that waiting lists render mental health and substance abuse care "virtually inaccessible."

I'd like to share the story of a friend of mine that experienced the failings of the current system first-hand. Drew Brown served as a Sergeant First Class training Iraq's soldiers in Fallujah, Taji, Baghdad and Baquba. Like Joshua Omvig, Jeffrey Lucy, and Jonathan Schulze, Drew struggled to readjust when he came home and he sought help.

Now, Drew has bravely offered to share his story in the hopes of helping other Iraq veterans hold on long enough to get the care they need -- and of spurring action in Washington to make sure no more Iraq veterans fall through the cracks:

"One night, while my wife slept only feet from me, I came to the conclusion that she would not be able to stop me if I chose to end my life. With the speed and accuracy of my years handling weapons, I could easily load a magazine, chamber a round, remove the safety and squeeze the trigger before she even got out of bed. I could taste the Hoppe's #9, feel the front sight post as it pressed against the roof of my mouth.

For months I tried to schedule an appointment with the VA. I was told I would need to schedule an appointment three weeks out, at a hospital that is an hours' drive away. The appointment would only be scheduled between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Even assuming I would walk right in and be seen, it would take me an hour to get there, an hour there, then an hour back to work. Who can blow half a day on an hour-long appointment? I can't. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-rieckhoff/veterans-suicides-the-w_b_49018.html