Does the VA cause suicides?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 18:59:24 -0500

Having dealt with the VA a good bit lately while dealing with other day to day stress and issues I have to ask, does anyone think the VA might actually be help cause to the veteran suicide rate due to their inefficiency and immorality.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2018 8:03 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 20:03:56 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member I have had experiences with the VA. The VA may be a stressor, but there are plenty of other stressors out there besides the VA. There are folks at the VA who do care and are trying their best to help Veterans. There are resources out there for Veterans that are feeling depressed and overwhelmed. Those of us on RallyPoint will be glad to listen if anyone wants to just talk. Your profile has you listed as active duty. Are you active duty or a Veteran?

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/hotline

hotline

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Nov 20 at 2018 8:25 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 20:25:21 -0500

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member is right. The VA does not cause people to commit suicide any more than anything else that can cause a person stress. That being said, there are definitely improvements that can be made in the way the VA system is run that would probably go a long way to curbing the rate at which veterans are committing suicide and citing the VA as the primary cause of the stress that bought them to that point. Additionally, it ultimately falls to each of us to police ourselves and those around us to ensure that we seek the proper assistance when necessary and have the support structures that protect us from resorting to such ends.
I actually had a suicide attempt that I luckily had a change of heart during and I immediately went to my local VA who put me up for a long weekend and had me set up with therapy, meds, and a plan prior to me leaving a few days later. I probably would not be alive today without the quick action of my VAMC.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 20 at 2018 8:25 PM

SrA John Monette — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 20:25:57 -0500

I don't think the VA, in and of itself, causes suicide any more than your local civilian or military hospital. in fact, I would argue that the VA is better equipped to deal with the variety of mental health issues that veterans face than any other healthcare provider. no matter what medical or mental health needs a veteran has, the VA can provide for it.
is there room for improvement? of course. but do civilian hospitals face the scrutiny that VA hospitals face for the same problems? absolutely not.
and remember this. VA hospitals are not specialized. yes, they deal with a specific population. but there are not pediatric or cancer or heart VA hospitals. VA hospitals do a lot of different jobs and they do them, by and large, well.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 21 at 2018 11:12 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 11:12:47 -0500

Great comments from folk near and dear to the issue. I'd add that our Government makes a business decision along the lines of how little they can care and get away with it. That difference vs. really caring does result in more suicides simply due to frustration and feelings of hopelessness. This isn't new. Back in the day everyone got 200M IU bicillin in the butt at boot camp. They'd kill around 3-5 recruits a year at Great Lakes because they never had that type of drug before but had a severe allergic reaction to it. The simple thing would be to ask and for those who had no idea, do an allergy test. That cost money and time so it's OK to off 3-5/year as the preferred cost of doing business.

Response by PO2 Bernard Spriggs Jr made Sep 23 at 2019 5:52 PM

PO2 Bernard Spriggs Jr — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 17:52:54 -0400

Absolutely!! and contributes to senseless deaths and providing the wrong treatment. and Noone is held accountable for it and the VA denies when you have documented proof. the bulge on whats getting swept under the rug us Huge. and it's the elephant in the room everyone is afraid to address.