The VA crisis line has a 26% abandonment rate. How would you handle?

2016-03-04T19:48:26-05:00

The facts are out there in today's copy of the USA Today: Veterans are left hanging when they call the VA crisis hotline. For a veteran to even make that call, it takes a lot of courage.
How do we keep ourselves from leaving these veterans behind? Do we all stand up, petition, and answer the calls or do we privatize the VA in a way we can ensure the job gets done? How would you approach this?

Response by LTC Stephen Kubiszewski made Mar 4 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-03-04T20:25:46-05:00

Suicide, although a family disaster, is still looked upon as a topic of future research and clinical interest. No real interest has been seen to establish local options for inpacted individuals to meet with their peers long before they become a number.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Mar 4 at 2016 9:18 PM

2016-03-04T21:18:20-05:00

If the DVA and state agencies, KVDA for me in Kentucky would hire Veterans and not civilians it would help. A less cavalier attitude and a lot more promptness. NO unanswered calls! Of the five (5) VA contacts I have they are ALL civilians. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Even my BVA contact in Maryland is a civilian. There is an RP member in here that worked for the VA four (4) years and he says the job description is to deny, deny, deny. The hope is that the veteran will give up or DIE. Do you think a brother-in-arms would treat you like that? I don't.

I donate enough money to the KVDA that is to be used only for homeless vets in my county. The KVDA keeps 19% for operational costs, I have no issue with that. They all get three hot meals a day and a cot at night with sheets, blanket and a pillow. 7th largest county in the state and we used to have 10 homeless. Yeah, they are still homeless butt they eat regularly and have a place to sleep at night. Once a month I drive downtown and can usually find the one guy I know a little bit. I can give him a $50 bill and he rounds up the other 9 and they walk out to the golden arches near the main highway for a sandwich and a beverage. They don't know my name or how to contact me, I think it's better that way.

I bless the Good Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ for being able to do what I can.

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Mar 4 at 2016 10:05 PM

2016-03-04T22:05:52-05:00

We got to do more, and leave no body behind.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Mar 5 at 2016 10:36 AM

2016-03-05T10:36:54-05:00

First thing I would do is fire every single person in a senior leadership position. They have more than proven themselves incapable of handling the job. Next I would get rid of the civilian mafia that has enabled a culture of ineptness and incompetency. Lastly I would hire veterans to fill the vacant positions. I'd probably give preference to enlisted veterans as they make up the majority of patients needing assistance in the first place. I'd shy away from recruiting senior officers as MOST (exceptions to every rule and all that) Colonels and above are only interested in expanding their empires and less focused on effective/efficient mission accomplishment. With the cost savings of eliminating unneeded senior salaries, I'd hire extra counselors and providers. Finally, I'd put in permanent restrictions to "protected" employment. You don't perform to standard, you're out the door!

Response by SPC Anne Miller made Mar 5 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-03-05T18:53:27-05:00

I personally have had good responses calling the line. Worked me through some panic attacks without hitting "the button"

Response by MSG Bonnie Casler made Mar 8 at 2016 6:14 AM

2016-03-08T06:14:03-05:00

There are plenty of other crisis lines that can be used. I find some to be more caring and can get you the same help. Don't give up. Call someone else. Look up other phone numbers and have them ready. Get a battle buddy that can take your call and help keep you safe and get you to care. The crisis line is CA connected. That's the why we are not being answered. please find other resources for you sake.

Response by PO3 James Carter made Mar 8 at 2016 7:48 AM

2016-03-08T07:48:58-05:00

A couple of years ago, I was in one of my 'moods' and wanted to talk to someone. Well since it was after hours, I couldn't call my doctor so I called the hotline and got a women on it. A bit later while talking to her, I told I wasn't suicidal or anything just that I was in a real deep depression and I wasn't going to commit suicide or anything, just that I needed to talk to someone; she then replied back something to the effect, 'That's ok if you did, go ahead.' I asked her to clarify what she had just said and she meant committing suicide, go ahead and do it...I talked to her for another second or so and hung up, to this day I have never called the hot line back

Response by A1C Melissa Jackson made Mar 8 at 2016 7:58 AM

2016-03-08T07:58:38-05:00

I would not agree that privatization be the solution- AT ALL. The main reason I feel this way is that private businesses' prim art objective is PROFIT. Things like crisis support for veterans should NOT be based on a profit-building venture.

The future I see with such a plan is that the services would decline, and we would see veterans getting worse off. The program that is in place now must be improved. This means more professional staff, more support staff to assist, and yes, more funding.

Services to veterans should not be a place to make profits.

Response by CH (CPT) Ephraim Travis made Mar 8 at 2016 8:57 AM

2016-03-08T08:57:51-05:00

As a Chaplain, I would like to see the VA recognize us for our ability to be caregivers even after we've "hung up the uniform." I'm now a Reservist and I've tried to get a job with the VA but I was told that I don't have the proper credentials. This is absurd. I had/have the credentials and experience of caring for SMs and their families but I don't have the credentials to serve Vets?!?! Really?!?!

I'd be thrilled to be hired as an "On Call" Chaplain whereby a Vet can call a central number and the call is routed to me to so I may provide for a Vet who's hurting. My responsibilities would be rotational (perhaps once every 2 weeks for 24 hours) and I'd be paid for my services. But most importantly, Vets will draw comfort knowing that they're talking to a fellow Vet who won't abandon them.

Response by CPL Luke Saunders made Mar 8 at 2016 9:36 AM

2016-03-08T09:36:15-05:00

Round up unemployed vets, train them and put them to work on the lines. They get a paying job, vets in crisis get put in touch with the help they need from someone who understands. Two birds, one stone.

Response by Cpl Paul Smith made Mar 8 at 2016 10:57 AM

2016-03-08T10:57:34-05:00

This is a very important topic. The government is lean in funding and having personnel available for these tasks. I believe we need to have a more realistic approach to this crisis. Privitizing this function could lead to further problems, because the issues of battle fatigue and the stress of combat isn't something the private sector is trained to handle.
The military puts so much money into combat equipment and training, but fails on the follow-up expense of the aftermath effects.
I don't understand why there isn't a 2 week debriefing period for mental health evaluation and life coaching after the combat tour of duty and certainly before discharge from the military. That would be the prime time to get an initial evaluation and setup consultations for after their enlistment.
If the personnel are not available for this, then we need to train in the private sector to handle this sensitive and very important task. Human relations is the biggest part of every corporation, including our military. Our current status with our vets is inhumane and shows a lack of concern for those that defend our country and our way of life.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Mar 8 at 2016 10:57 AM

2016-03-08T10:57:44-05:00

Google more resources.
Our Hot Line is: [login to see] 24/7 AND we don't catch all of the calls.
Repetitive Behavior Cellular Regression™ (CR)
One session, One result, Your success, 30 days to freedom

Response by COL David Turk made Mar 8 at 2016 10:59 AM

2016-03-08T10:59:36-05:00

One suggestion: have the VA crisis line roll over to a civilian crisis line, staffed by persons familiar with VA resources. Let the civilians handle the initial call/response/referral. The respective agency would bill the VA for the services provided.
Conceptually like a "real time" choice program.

Response by CSM Steve Suchocki made Mar 8 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-03-08T11:15:16-05:00

I agree with SSG Palmer. I would start by a review of the District supervisors. Any with poor record reduction or termination. Then look at the area supervisors. And do the same. Work your way down. I would then inform the supervisors to do the same. I would then start a hiring to fill the vacancies and ensure the supervisors do their jobs

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 11:19 AM

2016-03-08T11:19:20-05:00

get rid of the current administration, restore the honor of the veteran as a special class of American over those who never served and before ANY money is spent overseas, make sure the veterans are taken care of. Veterans care and money should be the same high priority as welfare, medicare and Social Security. Put the Surgeon General in charge of the VA and make it as important as any cabinet post in the administration

Response by CPL Eric Bennett made Mar 8 at 2016 11:57 AM

2016-03-08T11:57:30-05:00

Privatize with an emphasis on hiring veterans, retired military and part time active duty military. Especially in the upper and middle management positions.

Response by CWO4 David Smith made Mar 8 at 2016 12:12 PM

2016-03-08T12:12:16-05:00

Fill the positions with people who have been there, done that - VETERANS! There are way too many people in Govt who have absolutely NO CLUE, and the "It's 3:00, Carpool - talk to you TOMORROW" attitude, and it's sad. I say this from experience, 7 years of working as a GS-13 after I retired. I actually was written up because I would stay well after hours to help a ship with problems, some from the Pacific Rim where they were working. Was told I was "creating unreal expectations for the rest of the civilians" in the office because I worked the issue to completion whenever humanly possible before going home. I've also sat in high level meetings, where the first phases of a meeting finally got to the point where we were actually coming up with resolutions when people started getting up and leaving for their 'carpools' - EVEN when they knew well in advance and could plan to be at the meeting until concluded. I had my supervisor once tell me that you "Don't screw with carpools here"....
It seems like the attitude is that THEY justify YOUR job, not the other way around. "Customer Support" to them is a job or position and has nothing to do with an 'Attitude'. Go figure!

Response by LTC Alan Murphy made Mar 8 at 2016 12:42 PM

2016-03-08T12:42:34-05:00

While I don't like more government and more bogus studies, I believe Congress should use its resources to study the link between the 22 Veterans a days suicide rate and these areas. (1)..Veterans who have been intentionally denied one or more times for disability benefits with legitimate claims. (2)..Veterans who were given undeserved bad discharges resulting in the denial of VA benefits and/or ability to seek employment. These are just two of the areas but I wanted to focus on them due to they are a direct fault of the government!!!!! Of course you have PTSD,TBI and other combat related issues that can be linked to the suicide rate but I believe there is a large percentage of veterans that commit suicide because of failure of government... I don't sugar coat the realty and facts....The Inspector General reported that over 300,000 veterans had died as a result of VA's intentional failure to get them deserved and entitled healthcare... While denying these veterans healthcare resulting in their deaths these same VA bureaucrats received performance bonuses for denying these veterans health care.... Now that my fellow veterans is MASS MURDER, MURDER FOR PROFIT..... On the scale of Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin....Hitler would be proud, "The VA simply substituted ovens with secret waiting lists and substituted pulling gold fillings with performance bonuses" Yet not one single VA government bureaucrat has been fired or tried in court......... And Congress, DOJ and American people are accepting this mass murder as acceptable and normal business practice..........It's very concerning and mind numbing that government would play down this mass murder as business as usual....The main problem is government over the last 60 years has evolved into this sick culture not held accountable as a direct result of it's unionization. Government unionization was a disaster waiting to happen......The government already has too much power and the power to abuse its power and not held accountable is tyranny and border line dictatorial....The current active duty military has turned into a similar bureaucracy where they are more concerned about their next promotion over the constitution, rule of law and the United States sovereignty... So this gets back to the VA, There has to be equal justice under the law, and the federal government has demonstrated they are exempt from all laws including murder of Veterans........The only reason for not tarring and feathering any government official for effrontery when they tell us what to do is that their power to do so is somehow legitimate. But that legitimacy comes from the exercise of constitutional power. If the Constitution doesn’t mean anything, well, then, maybe it’s time to go long on pitchforks. Because without the Constitution the angry mob is just as legitimate as the perfumed princes of the state.

Response by MSgt Bobby Jones made Mar 8 at 2016 4:33 PM

2016-03-08T16:33:52-05:00

I would handle the situation with the up-most priority. The telling results are more good men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation left behind in a malicious manner, that almost certainly will lead to a dire result of health, life or death. It should not stand. If our nation allows such a attitude to prevail why offer any assistance at all. Surely we as a nation must, can and shall do better for our wounded warriors.

Response by SGT Karen Scott made Mar 8 at 2016 5:16 PM

2016-03-08T17:16:26-05:00

We need to start cleaning up our VA hospitals. Too many individuals are being allowed to abuse their positions & power to intentionally harm a veteran. Allow veterans to have real medical somewhere else, without someone being able to purposely block the medical care, like what has happened so many times in the past, since 1992! And allow us veterans to have legal, when gross wrongs are carried out on us and or against us! Close the loop hole that so many have been using and getting away with that has harmed & killed many of us veterans for over 23 years!!! Individuals are allowed to throw away your complaints at the Va hospitals! In the past many have been allowed to work together to punk you carrying out some harm that you can't seem to get them held accountable for! Stop allowing union to trump the safety of our veterans, correct hiring entities that are against us veterans that are there only for the money deals that they are going to make, and truly correct the medical harm that is being carried out! Legal help would be a grand start!!! Never should anyone be allowed to come to a particular veteran's hospital, just to gang up on a veteran to carrying out machinated/orchestrated/intentional destructive harm!!! This has to stop!!! Legal help that protects the veterans' life that protects the veterans' rights!!! Why has this taken decades to correct???

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 6:21 PM

2016-03-08T18:21:13-05:00

If you privatize it you will lose some important effective aspects of the program:
1. Knowledge of the military and what it can do
2. Experience from the military and how it may have affected you the same way
3. Strength on how such situations were eventually overcome.
When I was attached to PWC in Yokosuka Japan the base had a suicide hotline program. It involved courses, developing proficiency and manning watches in the event call was made. Some of us were/are strong enough to cope with and deal with military and post/military life. With that comes experience and knowledge to support others so they can work it out.
We as retired and veterans need to stands up, petition, and/or answer the call to be part of the solution (yeah, roll up your sleeves and get dirty). Call your VA, Congressperson, anyone to see what you can do to effect proper resources and manning to keep this in house and most effective.
We should not be leaving anyone behind...

R/
BUC(SCW)

Response by Lt Col Barry Esham made Mar 8 at 2016 8:00 PM

2016-03-08T20:00:20-05:00

Do they not use volunteers? If not, they should. If they do, they need to recruit more. I'm sure there are plenty of veterans and family members ready and willing to serve. Volunteers are a great resource and we should encourage this approach.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 8:24 PM

2016-03-08T20:24:40-05:00

One thing that NEEDS to happen is those in any part of gov. NEED to know that the Vets they are treating CAN get them Fired and CAN get them THROWN IN JAIL and fined for their treatment/mistreatment of vets. And frankly A LOT of those in the VA right now NEED to be thrown in jail and LOSE EVERYTHING t hey have and their families have for what they have done to Vets. And there should be NO Bonuses for ANYONE in gov. jobs period. I have had nurses that REFUSED to tell me if I could see my doc a month out from when I was going to be there next and then with a week left FINALLY LIED to me and said that he would not be there. To me that means he will NOT be there. He was there as the ER doc that day and I asked him if he been told that I had called and asked if I could see him and what it was about and he said NO. I have had members in the VA REFUSE me treatment that both my Gen. Pract. Doc. And my Neurologist wanted for me and its to do what I an the VA want done and that is to get me off of a pain med that I legit. need for several fusions on my spine the result from a person running a stop sign and turning into me
I have so many other things that have happened to me and to both of my parents who are both literally dead directly because of the VA and I feel like they are trying to do the same to me. Not my two docs. But those above them.

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 8 at 2016 10:28 PM

2016-03-08T22:28:30-05:00

We must do what we have always done best. Look out for eachother. We know better than anyone when the man or woman to our left and right is struggling.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Mar 9 at 2016 12:35 AM

2016-03-09T00:35:40-05:00

Sp4 Byron Skinner. I have no answer for this other then to rent a car, buy the insurance and drive it into the lobby of a VA Med Center, that should get their attention.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Mar 9 at 2016 3:03 AM

2016-03-09T03:03:56-05:00

Could it be the hold time?

Response by LTC Alan Murphy made Mar 10 at 2016 2:51 PM

2016-03-10T14:51:18-05:00

Here is the latest in the sick and twisted career VA bureaucratic unions............... Union Officials Admit They Let Veterans Die Rather Than Talk To Republicans..............

http://dailycaller.com/2016/03/10/union-officials-admit-they-let-veterans-die-rather-than-talk-to-republicans/

Union Officials Admit They Let Veterans Die Rather Than Talk To Republicans

A former federal employee union president is wracked with regret because veterans likely died at a time when she knew about gross misconduct within her Department of Veterans Affairs facility but didn

Response by LTC Alan Murphy made Mar 10 at 2016 2:56 PM

2016-03-10T14:56:55-05:00

Remember this is the same Federal government that the Inspector General reported that over 300,000 veterans had died as a result of VA's intentional failure to treat them for deserved and entitled healthcare... While denying these veterans healthcare resulting in their deaths these same VA bureaucrats received performance bonuses for denying these veterans health care.... Now that my fellow veterans is MASS MURDER, MURDER FOR PROFIT..... On the scale of Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin....Hitler would be proud, "The VA simply substituted ovens with secret waiting lists and substituted pulling gold fillings with performance bonuses" Yet not one single VA government bureaucrat has been fired or tried in court......... And Congress, DOJ and American people are accepting this mass murder as acceptable and normal business practice..........It's very concerning and mind numbing that government would play down this mass murder as business as usual....The main problem is government over the last 60 years has evolved into this sick culture not held accountable as a direct result of it's unionization. Government unionization was a disaster waiting to happen......The government already has too much power and the power to abuse its power and not held accountable is tyranny and border line dictatorial....

Response by PO3 James Carter made Sep 4 at 2016 12:24 AM

2016-09-04T00:24:10-04:00

I was really down and depressed one day, not that I'm depressed most of the time...but I called the Hotline one time because it was after hours and I connected with a counselor and started talking with her and after a few minutes she basically told me to go ahead and "DO IT"...no wonder we have a high abandonment rate...that was about 6 years ago and I've never called the line back....

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2016 2:24 PM

2016-09-15T14:24:13-04:00

I personally think it's time to take the VA out of civilian hands and put it under military leadership. It's apparent civilians no more understand veterans needs than they do civilian healthcare. The crisis we have now is directly related to the last 2-3 generations with no family members ever having served. Seriously could this have happened if there was a military Chan of command instead of the political chain of command that exists today?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 9:37 AM

2017-05-10T09:37:21-04:00

Fire every polititian and start anew