Washblog

Google military suicides and you'll find as many articles from as many sources as you care to read.  I've chosen to link to one that in my mind pretty much typifies the message that I think vets hear when they seek help...

"Kill yourself. Save us the paperwork"

Pfc. Ryan Alderman, now deceased, sought medical help from the Army. He got a fistful of powerful drugs instead.  read more at Salon series

A few components of the stew that contribute to the rising rate of suicides would be multiple, extended, and stop loss deployments, a broken VA care system, increases in traumatic brain injuries, untreated ptsd or ptsd treated by prescribing anti-depressants and returning them to combat.  With the increased abilities and technologies of medical staff in treating horrific battle injuries, veterans who might not have come home during the Vietnam era come home to tend to a lifetime of overcoming debilitating injuries.  

In these wars, there have been more married with children troops deployed than in previous wars.  These relationships are at risk, suffering and often broken under the weight of repeat combat deployments. Adding another layer of loss and grief to a situation that is already fraught with loss and grief, depression is a natural human reaction and evolution giving birth to suicidal thoughts.

These are but some of the ingredients that make up a toxic stew fed to our troops and their families.  As people are inclined to do many among the military communities finding themselves facing these unique challenges are determined to persevere, but even the most strong among them are but human and have breaking points.  I believe there are things that can be done to help them in their efforts to persevere.  

As these problems have been left untreated, unremedied,over the past several years, even though the problems have been identified and known, it leaves fewer options for veterans trying to cope with their realities of war.  On a side note I personally keep wondering why it is only they and their families as a segregated population that seem to have to cope with the real realities of war.  

Even during this economic crisis, where attention is riveted on a crashing economy and a political stimulus package, our military and veterans are deserving of the kind of help and relief that will sustain their lives and keep those returning home alive ... well .. alive.

My own son-in-law is returning home from Iraq this week.  He is on his second 'stop-loss' extended 15 month deployment.  I'm holding my breath a bit with the news today of 4 U.S. troops killed in Iraq.  There is no way for us to know what kind of shape he will be in when he returns to his wife and three children.  It sounds like he is hanging in there based on his telephone calls with his wife and children.  

It is not realistic, though, to expect that after 30 months in Iraq and 40 months of absences from his family with the 'downfield training' month absences, that reintegration is going to come smoothly or even easily.  If he and therefore his family need special kinds of help, then I would want for that help to be available.  

Just a reminder -- we - this nation - really do need to be attentive to our veterans even as we face our own rough economic times.

Not meaning this to be a rant, I know people who do want to help but aren't sure how. Yesterday I came across an account at VetVoice entitled simply Suicide; a firsthand account from a returning Iraq veteran, Kayla Williams in which she first shares her own compelling story and then offers some resources - some things people actually can do to help.  Particularly intriguing to me was the suggestion and link she offered, a blueprint developed by the state of Rhode Island to establish a military-civilian partnership, helping to match servicemembers and families in need with available community resources.

Somehow, despite the challenges we do face on the homefront, I think we can do more to reach out and give authentic help to our returning veterans. There are actions we CAN do, and in this new Can Do Administration, I think community organizing efforts to help will meet with more enthusiasm than in previous administration.  I am hopeful.

What blueprint does Washington state have in developing military-civilian partnerships and is it comprehensive enough to meet the challenging needs faced by the wars of this generation's returning veterans - and their families?

 

footnote; listing the military installations in Washington state

U.S. Military Major Bases and Installations - Washington state

Army

Yakima Firing Center
Fort Lewis

Navy & Marine Corps

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Everett Naval Station
Naval Station Bremerton
Naval Underwater Warfare Engineering Station
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station
Naval Strategic Weapon Fac Pac
Bangor Naval Submarine Base

Air Force

Fairchild AFB
McChord AFB

Coast Guard

Thirteenth Coast Guard District
Group Port Angeles
Group Seattle
Marine Safety Office Puget Sound
Air Station Port Angeles
National MotorLifeboat School
Vessel Traffic Puget Sound