How Have You Struggled?

BM1 Gerald Garrett RET/NAV 76-98
What keeps me going is cannabis flower to make edibles and smoke were it not for this plant provided for by God and the black market is about time the VA hands flower out instead of those freakin pills make ya want to kill yourself. In Canada disabled vets at the VA get ounces of flower instead of pills and the suicide rate went way down. Here in Texas get thanked for service at same time cuffed and stuffed for using natures way provided for by God this plants grown wild for millions of years and will continue to grow after we kill ourselves when all the nukes of this world go off like a string of firecrackers and I cant have my freakin weed?

When we veterans are told by our recruiters and benefit representatives what are benefits are, only to find out later we were misled. We can feel traumatized because we can interpret this to mean we are being betrayed by our own country. A country we love and feel blessed by God to be a citizen of only to be let down by those we trusted to govern us. For example, I was told by my recruiter and benefit representatives after 180 of active service I was entitled to full benefits. Because of personal problems back at home I requested to leave the military early and I was given a discharge under honorable conditions. Within in several years I needed medical care and was given medical services by several VA hospitals across the country. Twenty years after my discharge I wanted to buy a house and was given a VA certificate for a VA loan. I paid off this loan and twenty years later from this I wanted to use it again but was told I could not use it and was informed it was an error that I was able to use it before. I am also not able to have any VA medical benefits. They explained this was an error to receive medical benefits and the VA loan because I did not have 2 years of continuous service. We can feel like the whole world is against us. There is no way out. Instead of feeling supported and connected, we feel trapped, misunderstood, and left alone to languish in the mess others have contributed to in making. I have had to call the suicide prevention line several times and was given the empathy, understanding, and compassion needed to get me through those moments. Thank you for those who take our calls.

Ya'll need to fix a broken system. My husband went in for severe depression and they made him wait nearly two months to see someone. THAT IS NOT OK. This is why people are dieing, you treat them like they need to get in line, instead of like they matter.

Support Travis to getting the word out he has a FB page and https://www.facebook.com/TravisHikesAroundLakeMI Veteran Mental Health: Travis' Hike Around Lake Michigan Armed Forces Previously named Veteran Suicide Awareness: Travis Hikes
Help support Travis get the word out. He has been doing this for several years hiking around Lake Michigan and through Michigan. Been following his journey to support Veterans and Suicide Awareness

I struggle daily to stay here. The lack of prompt healthcare and apathy from the VA are contributing factors. To reduce military suicide, I suggest we give troops the option to quit the service if military life is not for them. It is my opinion that Servicemembers and Veterans commit suicide because we feel like discarded toys that don’t get the proper support. Also, the claims process needs overhaul. I was forced into poverty for 4 years and had to forgive my retro claim to use RAMP which still took 6 months to process. Perhaps that is another cause of Veteran suicide.

Did y’all know that Federal Law provides that VA doctors receive bonuses? Now all workers are entitled to at least a cost-of-living increase annually, but I don’t feel that’s the case here. I’ve been trying for a couple years to find out how those bonuses are determined and I’m hitting brick walls. I feel that if they reduce expenses, they get their bonuses and that’s why they deny us needed diagnostic testing and treatment.

What it boils down to is the VA needs to get its act together and prioritize Veteran claims and healthcare, rather than lining its own pockets. It is more expensive to be disabled and we need support, not the “delay, deny and hope you die” attitude from the very organization that was created to help us. If the VA can’t or won’t help Veterans, then our healthcare should be privatized and the organization should be disbanded in my opinion.

Precovid we ran AVP trauma recovery workshops in the Pierce Co. Jail - 600 participants over 6 years. We are expert at building community and a sense of connection and belonging while also building self-esteem. We use the AVP program, which started 49 years ago and has done work in over 60 countries. It's a powerful program and easy to teach others to facilitate. Lay facilititators (vets) can do the work readily. Being in jail is a rock bottom low point for most. Lots of depression, homelessness and addiction. Many who'd contemplated suicide. Some who'd tried. As a group process it provides greater return than individual therapy.
https://www.projectsforacivilsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pierce-County-Jail-workshop-teaches-alternatives-to-violence.mp4
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/crime/article129943994.html , ttps://http://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2019/12/09/veterans-jail-workshop-anti-violence
Contact: [login to see]

I went to the VA to have a stint put in my coroted artery . I had a bad feeling about this from the start the Dr doing the surgery was very nervous and uneasy. I was awake till they put me under because they kept putting the sheet over my face and I said you do that 1 more time and I'm coming off the table. Last thing I remember. Woke up in ICU . Went home and a month later had a stroke because the stint had failed wich stopped the flow of blood to my brain . So 2 surgeries and rehab my right hand and arm are pretty much useless.. So needless to say my frustration level is out of control because I can't do half of what I used to . Before this I'd bought 64 T-Bird and started to rebuild it still trying. I'm not here for any type of sympathy I just want more rehab to try to get stronger and not talk like I'm some drunk . I've asked for referral after referral because after what they did to I'm NEVER stepping foot in VA ever again so I want to to other source and get real health care .

shotgun approach on drugs is bad Bad BAD... give assist job or college education: NOT drugs

I don't feel comfortable sharing my story. So here is what I posted on LinkedIn: There are several ways to reduce veteran suicide rates:
Increase access to mental health services: It's essential to provide veterans with access to mental health services. These services should be easily accessible, affordable, and tailored to the specific needs of veterans. Veterans should also be educated about the services available to them, and they should be encouraged to seek help when they need it.
Reduce stigma surrounding mental health: There is still a significant stigma surrounding mental health issues, and this can be a significant barrier to veterans seeking help. Efforts should be made to reduce this stigma and encourage veterans to seek help without fear of judgment or retribution.
Improve employment opportunities: Many veterans struggle with finding employment after leaving the military, which can lead to financial and emotional stress. Providing job training and employment opportunities for veterans can help them feel more fulfilled and stable in their post-military lives.
Enhance social support: Social isolation can be a significant contributor to veteran suicide. It's important to create a sense of community and provide support networks for veterans, whether through family, friends, or peer support groups.
Address substance abuse and addiction: Substance abuse and addiction are often co-occurring issues for veterans with mental health problems. Treatment programs that address both mental health and substance abuse issues can be effective in reducing veteran suicide rates.
Increase firearm safety: Firearms are the most common method of suicide among veterans. Promoting firearm safety measures, such as safe storage and reducing access to firearms during times of crisis, can help prevent suicides.
Support research: There is still much we don't know about veteran suicide, and research can help identify effective prevention strategies. Funding research into the causes and prevention of veteran suicide can help reduce rates over time.

I feel that one of the major downfalls for a separating member of the armed forces, be it through separating, retiring, just completing their bid, or even being discharged, is one the feeling of uselessness, or lack of purpose and also the feeling of having that family and support (if you are part of a good unit) and then the feeling of just being dropped like you aren't worth a crap. Once you are out and trying to return to normal civilian life, and the folks who used to be there to support you or be there to have your back or at least you could converse with to keep your mind straight, don't give two s**ts about you, and maybe even sometimes you feel like you are letting your family down (especially while trying to find a new job, or find a place to live if you have to move due to a new job)... I went through many rough times during my transition, feeling like was I was dropped by my supervision even before I was separated, and then not being able to find work, even at McDonalds... I was definitely understanding how one could feel like the best option for their family would be to not have to be stuck with them, or even being able to collect that life insurance money... I'm just glad that I had my daughter around me, and was able to fight back by not letting someone else not giving a crap about anyone but themselves (my supervision), hold me back and bring me down.. There was still plenty of battle following that.... But I still continue to push and still continue to want for a better life for myself and my family...

There are a few things that I have found that help me to fight through anything I feel (both the good and the bad)... One of the things I have recently found that seems to work amazingly to help me clear my mind, hang out with good folks and get into shape at the same time is mountain biking. I have done it with some fellow military veterans, as well as some co-workers at my civilian job. I have also joined with a few veteran mountain biking organizations, but have not yet gotten the opportunity to get up with them for rides and fellowship (wish there was more monetary support for these types of organizations, as I feel they are great options that many don't think about). I also like to be a part of and volunteer as much as I can with some great organizations that look to help veterans especially towards those that are going through tough times and feel there is no easy way out, except to end it all, such as Mission 22, and Objective Zero (great program with the opportunity to chat (anonymously) with fellow service members/veterans, and sometimes even specialists as sometimes that is all that we need to get our minds clear is to let it out.