'Parking lot suicides' at VA hospitals prompt calls for better training, prevention efforts

It is so very sad that our heroic Warriors have mental illnesses when returning home from serving their country. But what is the worst part about this is the fact that most of those who commit suicide need immediate access to mental health professionals immediately. These men and women should be able to get that care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because of the past poor performance of the V.A. Health Care systems throughout the United States, many of these suicides are due to veterans' past experiences of being turned away or given long appointment dates. I for one was a victim of this kind of treatment at the hands of the V.A. even with verified PTSD. It took an incident involving the police to get me seen by the V.A. which involved a lengthy hospitalization.
While suicide hotlines and out-patient treatments may be helpful, initial care should be made on an in-patient basis and a care plan should be developed including external resources that can be accessed at any time. That should be part of the Veterans Choice plan and immediate referral should be available with no waiting time.
These men and women deserve the best care either medical or psychiatric.
We have earned it and should demand it for or service to the United States of America.

Thank you for sharing this information sir