What do you advise most for us Veterans/Retirees with mental illness?

I echo PO1 John Miller's statement. I've lost friends due to mental illness - the most recent being a good friend who suffered from bi-polar disorder. Open up to a close friend(s) - someone you trust and/or love. Someone who will go out of their way to try and understand what you're dealing with on a daily basis - someone who will put the time in to research what they can, regarding your specific mental illness. Someone who is willing to wake up at all hours of the night to answer a knock at the door, or a phone call - just to talk and comfort you. I know sometimes it's not enough - as I tried to be that person, but her demons were stronger than any of us could imagine.

If you, or anyone on RP ever need anyone to talk to - there's thousands of us, including myself, on RP that would be more than willing to give you/them a call and chat about whatever you felt needed to be discussed. We as a veteran community - regardless if you're Active/Guard/Reserves, retired or simply a vet - we're a family and we should be the first line to take care of our own.

THANK YOU, LTC (Join to see). Please make sure that you take good care of yourself; prior to helping the mentally ill; and during. Just reiterating what you already know; I would imagine.
Again, Captain, Thank You for offering the mentally ill military-your help: with your in depth and detailed services.

THANK YOU, SGT David T.!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU PO3 (Join to see)