39
39
0
At VA, we care about your health and well-being. We want to hear about times when you’ve struggled with your mental health or experienced thoughts of suicide and how you managed or received support.
What has worked best for you?
What methods/steps have you taken to bring positive change in your life?
Which services provided the best / most desired outcomes for your needs?
We expect to learn from you and will try to help you where we can. We also believe Veterans, families, and caregivers sharing their struggles in forums like RallyPoint can make it easier for others to share and get help.
If you need help now, dial 988, option 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
If you are not yet receiving benefits or care for VA and want to see if you qualify:
Visit https://rly.pt/VAHealthCareEligibility or call [login to see] (TTY: 711).
What has worked best for you?
What methods/steps have you taken to bring positive change in your life?
Which services provided the best / most desired outcomes for your needs?
We expect to learn from you and will try to help you where we can. We also believe Veterans, families, and caregivers sharing their struggles in forums like RallyPoint can make it easier for others to share and get help.
If you need help now, dial 988, option 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
If you are not yet receiving benefits or care for VA and want to see if you qualify:
Visit https://rly.pt/VAHealthCareEligibility or call [login to see] (TTY: 711).
Edited 1 y ago
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 135
I was a patient for decades. I was in and out of VA facilities as well as civilian facilities. I did try to commit suicide and I dod want to die. After decades of appointments and medications and therapy. After being sent to the #1 place in the entire country, I was still struggling to be a contributing member of society, struggling to be a husband and to be a father. I was told I had life-long diseases and mental diagnosis and my best hope was that one day I could become a functional adult. None of the mental health meds worked and the therapy and talk groups helped but it was a bandaid instead of a cure. It got so bad the VA started writing me every year on my birthday because they were just as shocked as my family, that I made it another year. But everything changed in an instant. I wanted God to heal me and what happened was miraculous truth, Jesus delivered the spirit of suicide off of me. My medical records show that I was one way for decades and completely different after 1 day. You can't medicate or therapize something that is spiritual. Deliverance is real. Now we travel the world and help people and veterans get delivered of suicide! God said He would send me into the VA to help one day and I pray that day is soon. I do not want the enemy to take out any more of my brothers and sisters. In Jesus name suicide will bow amd be broken off of many veterans.
I know what it is like to go through the program for sooo long. I now know what it is like to be free and alive in Christ Jesus. I thank God for each and every one of you and pray to God that you understand there is hope, and His name is Jesus! ooh rah
I know what it is like to go through the program for sooo long. I now know what it is like to be free and alive in Christ Jesus. I thank God for each and every one of you and pray to God that you understand there is hope, and His name is Jesus! ooh rah
(4)
(0)
the question is how do you stop the destruction of our veterans, answer stop violating the reason we served, died and suffered for the Freedom of the US Constitution, stop dumping your failures on us ans accept the fact that the VA has no interest in the veteran aside from getting funding, you do nothing you care nothing the VA is a insult to all veterans
(4)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
Thank you for your input, Col. It's improved a lot since I got out in 2005 but it still has a ways to go. Until all war veterans get at least 80% VA disability I will not rest with my advocacy. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Life member since 2014.
(0)
(0)
I went to the VAMC originally for mental health services. I went for nearly a year. In that entire time I never saw the same shrink twice. Even tried group therapy. There was no professional in the group during group therapy. I've lived with depression most of my life I was in a really bad place for several years, went to the VA for help and got none. I had been going to the VAMC for over 20 years now minus the three years the VAMC wouldn't even let me in the building. All heard from everyone during those three years was "Studies show,.." Unlike the VA I actually looked up and read every study I could find going back to 2002. I can tell you "Studies don't show,.." Now that I am allowed back in the VAMC I don't hear from them. All I have is a VA issued MedTronic device and a Nurse that calls me once a week.
(4)
(0)
Sgt Sheri Lynn
I hope somehow things will improve for you. Please continue to stubbornly reach out. There will be someone
(1)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
Definitely need to contact Patient Advocacy to get your care squared away. Also, I highly recommend you file for VA Disability through Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to help you get your benefits.
(0)
(0)
PO2 Stephen Cline
SrA Bruce Banner - I tried calling the PA several times. All I ever got was the black hole the VA calls voice mail. I don't have the time to play the VA's delay game. Nothing I paid out of pocket to have done counts, They want to redo everything. I had cataract surgery that I and Medicare paid for. When the VAMC finally did away with that useless mask requirement I went in to get my glasses Rx filled they refused because they didn't send me out. VA Policy you know. I sent lab results to my VA PCP all he did was file them. For three years they wouldn't make a single accommodation. Policy was always they can't do anything until I came in and was seen by the VA first, Which they wouldn't do, let me in that is. They had no problem letting me in a first wearing the mask below my nose so I could breathe. One week it was no problem the very next week I was treated like I had the Plague. I put up the VA's BS for two decades. Before this plandemic I went in for surgery 5 times laid on a gurney for hours only to be told " I'm sorry we can't do your surgery today, You'll have to reschedule" before they finally sent me out. The last time it was 6 times before they finally implanted the defibrillator. That was in Feb. 2020. By June they wouldn't let me in the building anymore. That's how the North Texas VA Healthcare system treats it's vets. I have 20 years worth of VAMC stories to tell.
(1)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
Oh my goodness. I would share all those stories with a disability attorney and see what your options are. I got an old Air Force buddy from El Paso who said Texas VA's are some of the worst in the nation.
(0)
(0)
I was just telling my friend today I need to look up and see what is new to take for people feeling like I do as my psych doctor is calling me tomorrow. I hate life right now I I really don't have a reason too. I don't want to anything. I can buy what I want. I just can't do what I want because of my pain all the time. I am just stuck in a bad place right now and don't know what the hell to do. I wish there was a magic pill but there is not. I am 61 years old and boy did I get old fast. After I went though 4 hard surgery's last year I feel like I have aged 20 years since. I didn't feel old until after last year. I have went though over 25 surgery's over the last 17 years and it has taken a toll on me now. I really don't know what the hell to do.....
(4)
(0)
CPT David Gowel
SPC William Baker I am sorry to hear about what are are going through. Please consider the resources on this page to get connected to someone who may be able to talk and look for ways to help you.
https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support
https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support
RallyPoint - The Military Network
Find service members and veterans like you, discuss military life, and share professional opportunities on the largest military network.
(2)
(0)
Sgt Sheri Lynn
SPC William Baker IMO you are doing the most important things you can: persevering and asking for help. Please continue to do both. You are not alone
(1)
(0)
I am lucky did not serve in action that bothered me. But would love to help my fellow veterans in anyway possible.
(4)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
Hello, Major! You can join a VSO like American Legion or Disabled American Veterans and volunteer your time helping out disabled veterans!
(1)
(0)
Here is an Idea. Why doesn't the VA actually fulfill their mandate of actually taking care of veterans. The VA treats us like thieves trying to steal something from them. We have to prove with out a doubt that the military messed us up. This country throws money at people that cross the border, but you have to fight tooth and nail to get 10% rating, because some lazy ass medic 20 years ago didn't write a 100 page novel detailing your injury. Someone sitting at a keyboard making decisions on someone else's life like they get a bonus for every penny they save. You could give every vet 50k a year just as start for less than we throw at Ukraine. I can't believe you actually asked this question. News flash this country treats it's veterans like trash to be thrown away.
(3)
(0)
PO2 Stephen Cline
How they make me feel every time I have to go to the VA. They think we are all country bumpkins. Their ever changing policies are not there for efficiency. They're to frustrate and block veterans.
(2)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
If you have issues applying for disability definitely sign up with a Veterans Service Organization such as VFW, AL, DAV, or whomever you feel comfortable signing up with. DAV upped me from 30%-100% in two years. Godspeed!
(0)
(0)
PFC Jaime Vargas
Can I vote this up a billion times?
Lets take care of our own, make our own a priority!
Lets take care of our own, make our own a priority!
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
I have battled with the drugs and booze during service and post service. AA/NA both worked. I became clean and sober in 1982. Still sober. I suffer from PTSD 100% disabled. To this day I take one day at a time. I can plan things for the future, but still have to look at one day at a time. Sometimes one moment at a time.
Sgt Sheri Lynn
PO2 Thomas Butler-Martinez thank you for the reminder that sobriety is the foundation upon which we can build a new life.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Not at the moment. Still able to work but not in an office anymore. I have worked from home for 10 years now.
Suspended Profile
I have two years and two months to reach full retirement at 70
It depends because men and women face different challenges that lead to suicide.
For men it matters that we feel strong and have purpose. So we need a situation that provides us income that works with that. Supportive and skills based therapies can help. Men approach therapies through logic and thinking.
For women they need help to understand what they are feeling is completely normal, that their common humanity connects them to others. And they approach therapies through feelings.
For me personally, it was understanding that even though I have disabilities, I can still do things that improve my quality of life, and had to adapt to the changes. Therapy and mindfulness meditations are helpful, and I find I need to go back into that every few years to prevent myself from slipping.
Have a list of contacts to go down when you are having a bad time.
Have a hobby, I can't stress this enough, it is one of the 4 pillars that make for strong men. The others being family, religion or spirituality, and a job.
For women, it isn't about having a hobby, although that can help. Women need purpose just like men, although they approach it differently. Women have their pillars as Family, family, spirituality, and hobby. I'll say it again, family is central to womanhood. If you believe otherwise, you do you, but that's what is going to give most women purpose, and that fights off suicide, it also connects women to other women, which wards off loneliness.
Be able to distract yourself if you are having a bad time. Watching a show you have already seen, or listening to a song you already know can help.
Learn to recognize your quirks, and adapt. Leaving a situation and going for a walk can be handling things responsibly. Going and splashing water on your face can ground you.
On that note: Temperature can ground you. If it is cold outside, go stand outside. Or take a shower. Hold an ice cube.
Find what works for you.
For men it matters that we feel strong and have purpose. So we need a situation that provides us income that works with that. Supportive and skills based therapies can help. Men approach therapies through logic and thinking.
For women they need help to understand what they are feeling is completely normal, that their common humanity connects them to others. And they approach therapies through feelings.
For me personally, it was understanding that even though I have disabilities, I can still do things that improve my quality of life, and had to adapt to the changes. Therapy and mindfulness meditations are helpful, and I find I need to go back into that every few years to prevent myself from slipping.
Have a list of contacts to go down when you are having a bad time.
Have a hobby, I can't stress this enough, it is one of the 4 pillars that make for strong men. The others being family, religion or spirituality, and a job.
For women, it isn't about having a hobby, although that can help. Women need purpose just like men, although they approach it differently. Women have their pillars as Family, family, spirituality, and hobby. I'll say it again, family is central to womanhood. If you believe otherwise, you do you, but that's what is going to give most women purpose, and that fights off suicide, it also connects women to other women, which wards off loneliness.
Be able to distract yourself if you are having a bad time. Watching a show you have already seen, or listening to a song you already know can help.
Learn to recognize your quirks, and adapt. Leaving a situation and going for a walk can be handling things responsibly. Going and splashing water on your face can ground you.
On that note: Temperature can ground you. If it is cold outside, go stand outside. Or take a shower. Hold an ice cube.
Find what works for you.
(3)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
Hello, Sgt! This has to be the most thoughtful and holistic approach to combatting suicide. Everything you mentioned in this post are things I've applied to myself since getting out. Reconnecting with hobbies is a must as it makes us forget about the trauma while focusing on our personal amusement. I'm also bipolar so whenever I get manic I just go crazy and clean my whole house! I am all about turning negatives into positives! Thanks again for this advice! You sound like a motivational speaker!
(1)
(0)
I am in full time ministry and there is a spiritual battle that is going on and your only hope of finding healing is through Jesus Christ. The enemy wants you to take your life, because he’d win. If anyone wants to talk about this, call/text me [login to see] or email me [login to see] .
(3)
(0)
Sgt Sheri Lynn
Cpl Marty Johnson I find that each time I’m about to grow, that’s when it gets the hardest. It definitely feels like the spiritual forces of darkness work hardest to stop me just before the miracle happens! Thank you for making yourself available to people struggling.
(2)
(0)
SrA Bruce Banner
"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6. My brother in Christ, thank you for your ministry of spreading the word of Christ our Lord and Savior. May I recommend filing for disability with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to help with your ministry and offset your costs? They upped me from 30%-100% in two years!
(1)
(0)
Read This Next