Editor’s note: This is the second of two parts about taking care of Maine veterans.
It’s an alarming trend: The number of active-duty American troops committing suicide in the first part of the year far outweigh the number of forces killed in Afghanistan. The suicide rate is at its highest in the country’s last decade of war.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system in Maine is planning to hire six mental health professionals in the next few months to adjust to the rising demand from patients. It’s a good decision, particularly because it’s part of a larger response.
The Veterans Affairs Maine Healthcare System has doubled its number of mental health workers in the last five years, from 46 to 99. Five years ago there was one person dedicated to homeless veterans services. Now there are 12. Adding six more clinicians is part of the continued effort.
There are no reliable statistics for suicides among Maine veterans, as Veterans Affairs provides health care to only about 40,000 of more than 130,000 veterans in the state, according to Ryan Lilly, associate director of the Veterans Affairs Maine Healthcare System. But, he said, there’s no doubt that the increasing number of suicides is a big concern for every state.
The reasons for the growing rate are not fully known. Soldiers who see combat and multiple tours are especially at risk, but so are those who never deploy. Post-traumatic stress plays a role, as do problems finding work and abusing prescription drugs.
A big part of the solution is for Veterans Affairs to work with community groups to create more awareness about warning signs and available resources, as veterans often don’t turn first to Veterans Affairs for help. That means connecting with homeless shelters, police departments and clergy. It’s something the Veterans Affairs system in Maine is already doing and should continue to expand.
Reintegration efforts are particularly difficult in Maine because the state has no active bases. Military personnel in other states often can continue to work with people they know upon their return home, but Maine doesn’t have the same available support network. A soldier is often the only person in his or her town who deployed.
That’s one big reason why it’s important for veterans to get jobs: Not only do they become part of a group again, but they can maintain their personal financial situation. Many, however, find it difficult to translate their military knowledge into civilian jobs skills. That’s why it’s essential for veterans to learn how to connect their leadership and technical abilities to the potential work at hand.
Some universities are helping by teaching interview and resume-writing skills for free. The program Portland Veterans Network pairs unemployed veterans, returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with business leaders who help them find jobs. Companies can keep in mind that there’s a tax credit for hiring veterans from certain qualified groups.
Another part of the solution is to institutionalize within the military the importance of seeking therapy. Commanders should never tolerate behavior that belittles those who need therapy and should emphasize that needing help is not a weakness. Soldiers may have previously not sought professional services for fear it would hurt their chances of being promoted. Eliminating that bias — through training and reprimands for ill behavior — is essential.
In Maine, it has been the practice that every soldier returning from overseas must sit down and talk with a mental health professional. It’s a smart move because no one is singled out, and those who need further care can receive it.
There are also vet centers in Sanford, Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Caribou that provide readjustment counseling specifically for combat veterans. And if people live in a remote area or prefer to see a provider through video, there’s telemental health technology available. Veterans Affairs cannot wait for veterans to come to it; it must be where they are.
It takes both small and big ideas, civilian organizations and the government to address the suicide problem. There are no easy answers; and getting someone treatment will not always prevent a suicide. But it’s worth the hardest effort.
War is not a video game. Bring back conscription, because the problem I see are the revolving door these young soldiers are facing. End the stop-loss program, when your enlistment is up it is UP. Soldiers some of them serve 4, 5 and6 deployments. Of course we would have to have a special draft of the Republicans, you know one potato”e”, two potato”e” to see which……… or if any of them would actually fight in the wars they love to start. Ask Dan Quayle if he loves war, or better yet ask Mitt Robme (typical republican coward, loves war but he is to important and just refuses to fight) why his big strapping sons refuse to join the military and fight in a war that his father wants to expand into Iran?
As a conservative I couldn’t agree with you more John. I’ve always thought that National Service should be required. Graduate from HS and serve for 2-3 years, no exceptions. providing you’re “able bodied” of course.
I’ve heard a few different ideas along those lines and not all require Military service though the majority of young people would be military conscripts. There are many ways to honorably serve your country.
I’m sure there plenty of young men and women from both sides of the aisle serving overseas right now, but I see where you’re coming from there. Too bad we can’t get a Constitutional Amendment to require military service for Presidential eligibility, but that could possibly open a Pandora’s box that’s best left closed.
Fine you and I may be able to agree on this point however you do realize when asked why his son’s were not serving in the military Mitt Robme said “one of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping to get me elected.” what kind of a none answer is that from someone that ran from Nam while being a cheerleader for the war. If you have moral or conscientious objections to military service I don’t expect to see you on the sidelines, or in the future cheering for more war.
I’m with ya John. Political campaigning is not National Service. I spent just under 30 years in a uniform, 3 yrs. Army and the rest in the ANG with the last 15 as a full timer with the MAINEiacs. I never saw combat, but at least I was in the game.
I think if more of our young folks got into the game as well, we might be able to build a better future for all of us.
@facebook-100003562355605:disqus ,
I only spent one night at Togus and that room had a private toilet. The only problem was all the other patients slamming their room doors and my next door neighbor tossing cookies all night.
I’ve only been to the new Bangor CBOC one time so far, but I think its a huge improvement over the catacombs on Hancock street. And they have a vision clinic too so I don’t have drive to Togus for my glasses. I especially like that the reception folks have no glass barriers between them and the Vets and you can sit down to talk things over.
Granted, neither of the sites are the Mayo Clinic, but overall care is reasonable for most common things. Of course, I don’t have any serious issues to deal with so I’m basically satisfied with the experience.
Hope you can get the care you need.
Your right on on thing, war is not a video game, as far as requiring 2-3 year service in the military, no thanks. I don’t want my son thrown into the meat grinder of these endless wars that politicians from both sides love to start and expand. This country needs to start minding its own damn business and stop killing and maiming its own fine young people in these pointless wars so the military/industrial complex can make their billions.
On the other hand if any other country wants to directly attack America, my son and I will be the first to sign up.
11B, ruck & rifle ready and standing in the door !
You make an excellent point in regards to minding our own business. We need to stop playing world cop and tend to affairs at home before its too late. We already know the “well” is dry. It’s time to stop frittering our future away.
That being said, many European nations have a national conscription program and they mostly stay within their own borders. It CAN work, but not if the leadership has a Napoleon complex and is trying to build an empire.
If we are concerned with Veteran care, which I am, WE as a state need to improve the VA hospital! What a sad situation, which I know first hand. They spent millions redoing the offices there but the wings where Veterans stay while at the hosptial do not even have bathrooms in the rooms. The care has slowly gotten better over the past years, but the bedside manner still needs major improvment. The Bangor clinic is a joke! Disgusted at the medical services our Veterans received!