Posted on Jul 9, 2014
Veteran Suicide, are we all doing enough to help one another out?
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This goes out to all my brothers and sisters. You are all heavy on my mind today, whether enjoying the civilian life or still eating dust serving our Nation. Remember you are not alone, we the valiant few who have made the choice to give all we have for others, are with you. Many have fallen and joined the ranks of the immortals, now is not your time. There is no problem that cannot be addressed, no obstacle that cannot be overcome. The valley of despair may be low and wide but there is a river of life and a top to reach. If you need an ear, a shoulder, anything I am here, and if not me, someone is there. Just as we pushed through the dust and dirt the grit and grim, it has been proven we all have the ability to overcome and continue with the mission whatever it may be. Reach out, speak up, be heard, no voice is to small nor mountain to tall, make the call and say “hey brother, I need some help.”
Posted >1 y ago
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SFC (Join to see) thank you for this post. I agree. But not only should they speak up but we as brothers and sisters need to listen and observe. Be aware and never timid to ask straight forward questions. Do not be afraid to offend, but rather take the risk and know that you are doing it out of love for your fellow family member. We are all family and we need to take better care of each other. We got each other's back in theater when the bullets fly, why can we not do the same when we are there not on patrol or home or retired? There are so many resources available. Just ask (for help or ask them the hard questions). From there you can seek help and the right resources.
I do not always have the answers, but I for sure will try my hardest to get one from whoever is the expert.
I do not always have the answers, but I for sure will try my hardest to get one from whoever is the expert.
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SPC Charles Brown
Please call me Charles. You and all that I have positively corresponded with here have earned that right. For those who are questioning whether we have had positive interactions, I have these words of advice, if you have to wonder then the answer is no. You can call me CPL Brown
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SPC Charles Brown
PV2 (Join to see) I mistakenly posted an erroneous web address. As I just caught it I thought I should correct it. the Confidential chat for the veterans crisis line is http://www.veteranscrisisline.net. Sorry for the mistake.
Charles
Charles
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PV2 (Join to see)
I googled it before putting it on FB. Thank you thought Charles!
Please call me Lisa
Please call me Lisa
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I am so saddened right now....just found out on Facebook that a fellow shipmate from VP-4, Chris Henderson, took his life and his wife today, leaving his children behind. I wish I had thought to check on him before it got this bad. My heart is heavy and my eyes burn with tears....farewells and following seas, buddy. You are truly, truly missed - not just by me but by all your shipmates, family and friends who have made remarks and said prayers on your Facebook page. RIP Chris Henderson...
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SrA (Join to see)
I thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Means so much. I thank God for my RP family. Please keep the family of Chris Henderson in your prayers. They need it more than I do. I appreciate the support here and love you all.
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SSG William Patton
I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for them and God's grace and for the children they left behind. This happens way to frequently in our society today.
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Gentlemen, Thank you for your wisdom and advice! To expound on this a bit further, living in the DC area, the amount of homeless which is a whole other subject in of itself, is staggering. Many of them are vets and some are not granted, but how many times during our daily lives do we pass by someone struggling not just visually like the homeless. But in our workplaces, the eatery’s, streets we walk and drive, just about every part of our day, and even in our own homes. Credit is due to the amount of services available to all nowadays. But with 22 vets a day giving up and ending the battle, how can we engage better to reduce this trend and keep those that have given so much already from giving it all. While in service the resources and team around you do better than the average citizen, so why is it that our vets are not? I would like your thoughts on how to get at the root of this, to reach out and find those vets that are struggling and most likely won’t reach out. We cannot leave it up to them to say Help Me! As they will suffer in silence, not all but a good majority will in my opinion. Reduction of the stigma must continue, it still exists today even in uniform. PTSD is not always the case, it is popular and sexy for now, but so many more mental health issues exist that are not PTSD, that still effect a suicide scenario.
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SFC (Join to see)
You are welcome, funny how many of the applications of the military can be translated to life. Overthinking a complex problem is very easy to do. Sometimes simple is best.
It can be hard to maintain a engaged attitude, so if you slip, dont worry :)
It can be hard to maintain a engaged attitude, so if you slip, dont worry :)
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PV2 (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I too am in the DC area and can echo what you have said about the homeless veterans. I personally have found it difficult to discern. I ran across one gentleman at L'Enfant Plaze metro station during the winter. He was wearing a woodland camo jacket circa 1980's era, and I approached him and asked which branch of service he was in and he told me he never served. He had gotten the jacket from another guy and wore it to keep warm but if people believe he was a vet who was he to argue. (his words). This frustrated me greatly. I don't want to see any homelessness but there are folks out there scamming and pretending to be something they aren't to get the charity others deserve. I guess what I am asking is how do we discern? I'm not saying I wouldn't help someone that isn't a veteran because I would help, but would rather help someone...for lack of a better phrase more deserving. I hope I make sense and am not rambling.
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LCpl Steve Wininger
I agree SFC Morris, sometimes the solution is right under our nose the entire time. Thank you again for the encouragement and advice.
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SFC (Join to see)
PV2 (Join to see) if he was homeless and not a vet is he less deserving of help and kindness? Personally I do not discern between who may be deserving and not deserving, if people give to him based off the fact they believe he is a vet because he has on a camo jacket I don't think that is a misrepresentation. It is not always easy to separate them, in regards to homeless there are scammers out there and yes we may fall to the their ways. Who am I to judge?
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