House Passes bill to prevent veteran suicides

"The proof is in the pudding" I'm going to withhold judgment until the numbers are in to see whether this legislation helps reduce the incidence of suicide or merely puts money in the pockets of bureaucrats and political entrepreneurs (those who feed at the trough). No, don't think my skepticism diminishes my hope for a positive outcome. I just don't want to be set up for another disappointment...

LTC Jason Strickland

Well, if they passed a bill, everything should be good! No disrespect intended BUT a third party layer of bureaucratic red tape is not actually any additional help and will probably just add to the problem. I am thinking that I might generate a form to help track the forms they are already filling out...to stream line the process.

The passage of the Bill might help make some law makers feel better about all our hero's taking their own lives but that is all it is really going to do. We never could legislate issues like this. Additionally, just throwing money at it will not help either...and that will be their next 'action'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0

I don't mean to bust any bubbles or rain on anyone's parade, but this is just another attempt by politicians to make them feel good about themselves and give everyone else the illusion that they are addressing the problem. Need a recent example? Lets look at the VA Choice Card that supposedly you can use to obtain private care, when the VA can't (or won't) provide the services you need. Basically its not worth the cardboard its printed on. Sorry, but there it is.

Agreed, sir. It's a step in the right direction and one of many pieces we need for a strong suicide prevention program.

It should never have taken this long!

I have been diagnosed with PTSD and have found mental health care at VA to be cumbersome and frustrating. It's not unusual at all to have a month or two gap of time between appointments. It seems like you are starting completely over at each appointment.