Posted on Oct 21, 2015
KIA vs Veteran Suicide: One is an epidemic. What are you doing to help?
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Deeply personal and troubling to me! If you were having thoughts of suicide, what would you want me to do to intervene?
Posted in these groups: 
Suicide
Suicide
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig Veterans Suicide is also very disturbing to me. I do understand having PTSD, being depressed, and just feeling like there is no way out, at time. But suicide is NOT the answer !! I was lucky enough to have friends who noticed that I was changing. I was referred to a psychologist who was a great help.
If there is a Vet with problems such as these, they are always welcome to visit my new(ish) Facebook page (address is shown below), called "VS Zero". "VS Zero" stands for "Veteran Suicides Zero", and that is our ultimate goal. The site has lots of links to sites that can help Vets in crisis. Vets can also catch us online, or leave a message on the page, and Stormy, or myself, will get back with you as soon as possible.
If there is a Vet with problems such as these, they are always welcome to visit my new(ish) Facebook page (address is shown below), called "VS Zero". "VS Zero" stands for "Veteran Suicides Zero", and that is our ultimate goal. The site has lots of links to sites that can help Vets in crisis. Vets can also catch us online, or leave a message on the page, and Stormy, or myself, will get back with you as soon as possible.
Goal Zero VS. 67 likes · 1 talking about this. On average, 22 Veterans per day take their own life. We want this number down to Zero. Don't let our...
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Col Joseph Lenertz
A very much needed and noble effort. I was wondering, are you aware if the VFW or American Legion or other veteran's orgs are reaching out (like you are) specifically to reduce suicide?
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PVT Robert Gresham
Col Joseph Lenertz - I honestly have not checked specific programs offered by the VFW or AL. Although I'm sure that those fine organizations do what they can, sometimes I find that Vets are more forthcoming with another Veteran, one on one, especially if they have already been through similar issues. Also, late at night, when a lot of personal issues/problems tend to come forward, it's nice to be able to know that you don't have to "find" somebody from an organization, some of which feel obliged to report your words, or behavior, to local medical, or law-enforcement. We do not divulge any information to outside individuals, without consent unless we consider it 'extremely likely' that the subject IS going to commit suicide.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig My personal experiences with my soldiers that have, or tried to commit suicide lead me to believe, there is little to do, until it's time to act.. You get there by being approachable and listen not just to them to you, but them to others. You watch for clinical signs.. but really that means listen to others who have observed them.. as a senior leader I rarely was in a time and place to observe them 1st hand.
I struggle to this day with the question "What did I miss" ...the question hurts but is consoled with the answer,,,,, nothing I was able to see........but it still hurts.
I struggle to this day with the question "What did I miss" ...the question hurts but is consoled with the answer,,,,, nothing I was able to see........but it still hurts.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
Tough to lose one. one you fought alongside of, one you love as a bother/sister, or son/daughter
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SGM Erik Marquez
Yes, twice,, once in country, successful, while on patrol. Once well attempted while in garrison after we came back......neither using 20-20 hindsight can I see what we missed, yet the docs all say the signs had to be there.
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I recommend we closely examine the correlation between the over-prescribing of psychotropic meds and antidepressant drug withdrawal and suicides, especially in the veteran community. There are numerous research studies and emerging lawsuits pointing in that direction:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-peter-breggin/malpractice-suit-suicide_b_2194007.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-peter-breggin/malpractice-suit-suicide_b_2194007.html
A Syracuse, N.Y. jury has awarded a $1.5 million medical malpractice verdict to the family of a man who committed suicide. I was the medical expert for the family.
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CPO Andy Carrillo, MS
MSG Brad Sand - Yes, our neurochemistry is exquisitely more delicately balanced (or not, as the case may be) than we can fully appreciate. However, we see the effects every day of those whose suffer from imbalances.
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