Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

nitpicker

(7,153 posts)
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 05:22 AM Jan 2018

New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2018/01/09/new-trump-order-focused-on-preventing-suicide-among-new-vets/

New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets

By: Leo Shane III    19 hours ago

WASHINGTON — In an effort to stem the tide of veterans suicides, President Donald Trump on Tuesday will sign an executive order mandating new mental health options for recently separated service members. Federal officials estimate about 20 veterans a day nationwide take their own lives, but outside advocates say they believe that number could be even higher. The departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have launched numerous initiatives in recent years to increase outreach to at-risk veterans, with mixed results.

The new executive order will require those two bureaucracies and the Department of Homeland Security within 60 days to establish new plans for “seamless mental health care” for troops leaving the military services. Once written, the agencies will have another six months to put the new reforms into place.

The plans could include expanded VA health services, extended access to Defense Department resources, more availability for care in the private sector, or some combination of all of those options.

White House officials familiar with the new order said the plans are also expected to include changes to the military’s post-service transition programs, to put a bigger emphasis on mental health care importance and availability.
(snip)
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets (Original Post) nitpicker Jan 2018 OP
This sounds great snowybirdie Jan 2018 #1
I appreciate the intention, but I dont think itll make much of a difference Victor_c3 Jan 2018 #2
I think that is a great idea. Cold War Spook Jan 2018 #3
I was with you until your last paragraph? pwb Feb 2018 #4
Ill give credit where credit is due. denbot Feb 2018 #5

snowybirdie

(5,593 posts)
1. This sounds great
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 07:21 AM
Jan 2018

but did his order also provide funding for expanded VA services? His Executive Orders are meaningless without plans and funds to back them up. All show.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
2. I appreciate the intention, but I dont think itll make much of a difference
Wed Jan 10, 2018, 06:04 PM
Jan 2018

As a vet who deals with severe PTSD and has attempted suicide in the past, I don’t know what could be done to “cure” me of the suicidal ideation thing.

Maybe a lobotomy would work, but I might be a little leery about that option.

You can’t unsee or forget certain things. Guilt and feelings of shame surround my memories of Iraq and I’m constantly reliving events over and over either in the form of flashbacks, intrusive thought or memories or in dreams and nightmares when I sleep.

Medication can and does help, but it doesn’t make it go away. You can only say and hear so much from counselors and groups. After a while they’ve done all they can for you and you become stuck living with this stuff for the rest of your life.

Perhaps instead of spending money on treatment, I think they should just build a big compound for us crazy vets, fill it with all sorts of buffets and food, stock it with alcohol and drugs, and send a bunch of prostitutes there for the crazy vets to party with until we drop dead. That’s something I’d go for!

 

Cold War Spook

(1,279 posts)
3. I think that is a great idea.
Tue Jan 16, 2018, 06:43 PM
Jan 2018

Seriously, if not the whole thing, at least some parts of it. I am good 8 days a year. That is my annual visit to the psych ward, Fayetteville NC VA. I joke with the nurses. I tell them that the only thing missing is a heated swimming pool. Then I would be there permanently. They tweak my meds and I am fine as long as I am in there. I am not a combat vet. It just hit me at age 21. Doctor told me that if you are going to go crazy that is the time it usually starts. So even though the military didn't have anything to do with it, since I was on active duty I am covered for life.

pwb

(12,197 posts)
4. I was with you until your last paragraph?
Tue Feb 20, 2018, 06:23 AM
Feb 2018

Legalizing marijuana would be better than all the drugs they ever gave me. They all fucked up some other function with the side effects.

denbot

(9,912 posts)
5. Ill give credit where credit is due.
Sat Feb 24, 2018, 11:32 PM
Feb 2018

The due will come when he FORCES the house republicans to fund it.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Veterans»New Trump order focused o...