Suicide Prevention Week Vets4Warriors: Don't let a challenge turn into a crisis

MG Mark Graham — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:30:56 -0400

It’s suicide prevention week and the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. It’s a heavy week for America but a heavier one for all those who served, serve or love someone who does. Mental health is never a comfortable or easy thing to talk about, which is one of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to preventing tragedy, especially in the Military world. My passion for mental health stems from honoring the memory of my 2 sons and the dedication to prevent future challenges from turning into crises which is why Vets4Warriors is such a crucial resource. I would like to continue propelling the conversation and offer further thoughts as a Veteran and father of two sons, one who was killed by an IED in combat in Iraq and one who died by suicide while studying to be an Army doctor.

Struggles with reaching out for mental health care seem to have a lingering stigma around it even in 2021. I’d like to propose this analogy: when you get injured, whether in combat or not, where do you turn? You turn to professionals who help you heal and who know how to deal with said injury. No one ever blinks an eye when you go to the doctor for a broken arm. I’d like to encourage the same normalcy for someone experiencing mental health struggles. Remove the preconceived notion that it’s different from reaching out for help in any other capacity, especially medically. A great way to start erasing the stigma is to reach out to a confidential resource and talk to other peers who have stood where you’re standing. Having conversations with anonymous resources who have shared experiences with you is the support you deserve to give yourself. Vets4Warriors can connect you to services that are not a part of your organization, the military, or in EAP. Reaching out for help will not impede your life the way you might think, but it will positively impact the quality of your life.

I am so passionate about mental health services because I lost one of my sons to the battle. I wanted to make care available for veterans of all generations and the entire military community. Vets4Warriors is equipped to handle any challenge, from those who just put on a uniform, to the caregiver of a veteran who has long since stopped wearing a uniform. We understand the complexities of every situation, but believe that there is no physical, mental, or social challenge that we can’t help find a solution for. Regardless of how long it takes, we are with you all the way. We will continue to follow up, seek out possible avenues, and pursue different options until an answer is found.

You might think your situation is unique and no one will be able to offer you solutions in order to help improve your life. I’m here to tell you to get that voice out of your head. There are people, hired veterans in fact, who spend their days speaking with veterans from every walk of life. I’ve personally dedicated my life to providing resources and help to all those connected to the military community; from those who might just need a sounding board to those who have deemed themselves unhelpable. Vets4Warriors provides immediate, free, and long-term peer support through four 100% confidential avenues: phone, chat, text, and email. You can contact us 24 hours a day and confidently know there is a trained veteran on the other side of the phone who, believe it or not, has likely been where you are and is committed to being with you now.

I’d also like to take a moment to address the process of reaching out. Objectively, it may seem intimidating and tedious however, the physical act is quick, easy and comfortable. Comfortability, confidentiality, and tailored care are extremely important to me to maintain because I understand that mentally, bringing yourself to reach out in the first place can be daunting. I want to reiterate all you have to do is pick up the phone and call and we will help navigate with you through the rest. Reminder: difficult things are normally the ones worth doing.

You may call Vets4Warriors without identifying yourself or revealing any personal information unless you choose to do so. Furthermore, no personal information that you choose to disclose is ever shared with the military, the VA, or any outside organization. Preserving your privacy is a critical feature of the service that we provide. We can be as close or far as you need us to be. Once you call us, we’ll talk, or listen, to what your needs are to help improve your situation. We will connect you with the right clinicians, resources, housing authorities, anything you might need we will eagerly help match you with. If the organization or facility we matched you with is not right for you, we will tirelessly work with you to find the right door and the right person.

Vets4Warriors has a proven track record, 10 years in December, of supporting tens of thousands of military, veterans and their family. As alone as you might feel, you are not alone in your struggles. Please reach out before you reach the point of crisis don’t let yourself get so far down a path where you feel like there are no options. You deserve to live your life and live it happily, successfully and without the weight of staggering mental health. Lastly but perhaps most importantly, sometimes cliches are cliches for a reason; you are not alone and you don’t need to mitigate your mental health alone. It starts with a conversation and we are waiting on the other line.

If you would like to speak to someone, call [login to see] , email us, text us, or chat with one of our trained veteran peers now!: https://rly.pt/Vets4Warriors

Vets4Warriors

Vets4Warriors is a national 24/7-peer support network for veteran and military communities 100% staffed by trained veterans and members of the military community, their families or caregivers. We've been where you are and we’re with you now. Discover the power of connection.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 8 at 2021 5:05 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 17:05:34 -0400

MG Mark Graham Respected Sir, and, the rest of my Respected Brothers and Sisters of the Rally Point Nation, I have brought this up before: the Phone Number for The Veterans Crisis Line is the following: [login to see] .
Please Kindly Press the Number One (1) for Active Duty Troops; and, for Veterans.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 8 at 2021 10:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 22:27:16 -0400

Sir. I would love to give you a PTSD Paper that has helped people with PTSD. It is free. Right now it’s just a grass roots endeavor. I think it is unique, not that I am trying to brag. It is unique because it was written from the perspective by an insider, not a therapist. I humbly hope that you are interested.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 9 at 2021 9:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:28:31 -0400

Well I tried to no avail. There are other avenues of approach. It’s disappointing when friendly forces blow you off.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 10 at 2021 2:59 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 02:59:33 -0400

A Year and a half ago I decided to put action to words when I asked Why doesn't someone do something, so at 56 years old, I left my Post-retirement career and returned to college to become a Counselor for vets with PTSD. I plan to spend the rest of my life trying to stop vets from making a permanent bad solution to a temporary problem.

Much Respect to those trying to help. I will be one of those as soon as I can.

Response by MG Mark Graham made Sep 17 at 2021 11:03 AM

MG Mark Graham — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:03:46 -0400

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed the blog. Comments are certainly appreciated as well. Please help spread the work that Vets4Warriors peers (veterans) are available 24/7 at [login to see] . We want to ensure no one is dealing with challenges alone. All the best, Mark Graham

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made Sep 18 at 2021 7:51 PM

CPO Arthur Weinberger — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 19:51:32 -0400

Mg Mark Graham thank you profoundly for your dedication, awesome advice and continuous assistance to our armed forces. Personnel such as yourself continue to make RallyPoint a
fabulous site. I am one of the very fortunate career military personnel who has two types
of mental illness. My ADHD actually was an asset during my tenure in the Navy. My PTSD
was delayed and did not affect me until my retirement.