Veteran Suicides

waltky · Aug 26, 2016

Veteran Commits Suicide in VA Hospital Parking Lot...

Vet's Suicide in VA Hospital Parking Lot Brings New Scrutiny to Agency
Aug 26, 2016 - The suicide of a 76-year-old former Navy man in the parking lot of a New York VA hospital where he was allegedly denied care has raised new questions about the federal agency, and his family and friends hope his death won't be in vain.

Peter A. Kaisen, 76, of Islip, shot and killed himself outside the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where he had been a patient. "He went there for help with depression," said Thomas Farley, a friend of Kaisen's for 40 years. "That was his last hope, and he didn't get any help." "Maybe he can be used as an example to make things better," said Farley, who spoke on behalf of the family. "Maybe we can save someone else's life." "That way, he would not have died in vain," he said. Kaisen served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962, working on the USS Denebola, a ship that delivered refrigerated items and equipment to ships in the fleet, his friend said.

According to Farley, Kaisen was severely injured in a car accident while working as an officer for the Long Beach Police Department in the late 60's. After that, he was disabled, Farley said, and "had been on constant medication since." The Suffolk County Police Department declined to comment on Kaisen's death. The FBI confirmed to FoxNews.com on Thursday that the agency had investigated the death because it occurred on federal property, but said there was nothing criminal involved. An online obituary in Kaisen's name describes him as a "devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather, cherished friend and brother."

Two sources connected to the hospital told the New York Times that Kaisen was upset he was unable to see an emergency-room physician for reasons related to his mental health. "He went to the E.R. and was denied service," one of the people, who currently works at the hospital, told the Times. "And then he went to his car and shot himself." "Someone dropped the ball," the worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the paper. "They should not have turned him away." The hospital, meanwhile, reportedly said there was no indication Kaisen showed up at the E.R. prior to the incident. Hospital spokesman Christopher Goodman told the paper that "the employees here at Northport feel this loss deeply and extend their thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by this tragedy."

Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., who is on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and whose district is near the hospital, was trying to confirm the details of Kaisen's death, according to a spokeswoman. The federal agency has been under fire for more than two years, following a stunning national review that revealed widespread corruption at facilities across the nation -- from rejected medical claims to delays in treatment and cover-ups by high-level officials. The review, by the Inspector General, was triggered when a whistle-blower revealed that as many as 40 veterans died waiting for as long as 21 months for care at a Phoenix facility. The whistle-blower claimed and the review confirmed -- that officials cooked the books to hide the wait times and deaths so hospital executives could qualify for bonuses.

Doctors and whistle-blowers from other VA hospitals came forward, citing long wait times and similar bookkeeping. A yearlong investigation by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., suggested that the number of veterans who died awaiting care or treatment over the past decade could top 1,000. Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned in May 2014 and was replaced by current VA Secretary Robert McDonald. Farley described Kaisen as a devoted father and grandfather who never stopped caring for friends and family. "I'm a Vietnam vet -- disabled from Agent Orange -- and he was always looking out for me. He was such a faithful guy," Farley said. "He was such a big advocate for veterans and that's what makes it's so sad," he said.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/...l-parking-lot-brings-new-scrutiny-agency.html
Click to expand...

waltky · Sep 25, 2017

Best way to prevent war suicides is to prevent war...

Suicide Prevention: The War at Home
25 Sep 2017 | Kim Ruocco, MSW, is Vice President, Suicide Prevention and Postvention at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the surviving spouse of Marine Corps Maj. John Ruocco, who died by suicide in 2005.

Daniel Lee O'Brien graduated from boot camp in August of 2005. He was a Marine, like his father and grandfather before him. Daniel did two tours in Iraq in short order. He returned home and married his sweetheart, Lisa. They had a little girl, Alexis Leah, who was Daniel's "number one." But his life began to fall apart as PTS waged war on his mind. He was 22 years old when he died by suicide. Dana O'Brien (OB), who served in Vietnam, began to fight his own demons following the death of his grandson, Daniel. Daniel's death, combined with his own unresolved pain from Vietnam, threatened to destroy him, but the power of love from his family and TAPS, combined with treatment, saved his life. This morning, and every morning, OB reaches out to veterans and families of the fallen by calling or sending a text message. He reminds them there are people in their lives who love them as he loved his grandson.

The rate of suicide has increased in recent years for the U.S. population as a whole. According to the Department of Veterans' Affairs most recent report on suicide, this rate has increased more dramatically for veterans than for non-veterans, with the risk of suicide approximately 21 percent greater for veterans. In addition, the rate is approximately 2.4 times higher for female veterans than for non-veterans. Statistics also indicate that families affected by suicide are at a higher risk of death by suicide themselves. More lives have been lost to suicide in the past 15 years than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Like war, suicide doesn't discriminate. It touches all -- all ranks, all socio-economic groups, and all races. There is help for those suffering from suicidal thoughts, there are treatment options that work -- options that will decrease the pain, not just numb it.

There are programs that stand at the ready to help with evidence-based, best-practice care. But it is up to us, the community, to find new and innovative ways to connect these programs to service members, veterans and military family members in need. Once, veterans who died by suicide were kept from burial in VA cemeteries, and their survivors, denied certain benefits. In short, it was viewed as a dishonorable death. Slowly, we have begun to understand more about suicide and the complex factors that contribute to it. We are beginning to understand that like cancer or a broken leg, if PTS, mood disorders, moral injuries, and TBI go untreated, they can be fatal. Of course, there are pragmatic issues to contend with in helping ensure our veterans have the care and support they need. This means adequate staff and resources at the VA. It will take more than money, however, to eradicate suicide in the military. At TAPS, we have partnered with national, public and private organizations to combat suicide.

Together with such organizations as the National Action Alliance, the American Association of Suicidology, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, SAHMSA, SPRC, DSPO, the VA and others, we are determined to make a difference. We advocate for increased funding for organized peer support for veterans and their families to decrease stress and provide opportunities to share resources. Too often these families are suffering alone without the knowledge of others who are in a similar situation. Peers can be a bridge to professional care and a beacon of hope for those who are suffering. We must also have a serious discussion to determine how best family members can be involved in treatment options without breaching HIPAA, and to provide families with more professional support such as a 24/7 hotline.

MORE
Click to expand...

waltky · Sep 29, 2017

More Must Be Done to Reduce Vet Suicides...

Senators: More Must Be Done to Reduce Vet Suicides
28 Sep 2017 | WASHINGTON -- A boost in medical providers and resources, greater awareness of mental illness within the military and improving the treatment of exiting service members could help combat a disturbing trend of increased suicides among veterans, lawmakers said Wednesday.

A detailed government report released earlier this month showed suicide risk is 22 percent higher among veterans compared to civilians. For female veterans, that risk was 2.5 times higher, while for male veterans the rate was 19 percent higher, according to a report released Sept. 15 by the Department of Veterans Affairs. These findings, and others, show Congress and the VA must step up with new efforts to address the national epidemic, lawmakers and government officials said during a Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing held in the wake of the agency report. "More needs to be done," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. "And more steps need to be taken to address suicide trends among veterans. ...What I am hearing again and again and again is the rates are increasing among vets who lack access." The report, which broke down veteran suicide statistics by state, age and gender, presented the VA's most detailed breakdown yet on the national epidemic facing former service members.

The report found suicide among veterans is even higher in Western states and rural areas, including the states of Montana, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. "We need to figure this out," Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., said during Wednesday's hearing. The report also showed, on average, 20 veterans commit suicide a day. More so, the vast majority of them, 14, were not enrolled in critical medical care. "We cannot help those we do not see," VA Secretary David Shulkin told the committee. Shulkin and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., agreed the VA must do a better job of outreach to vulnerable veterans. Shulkin said there's a gap between the VA and the Department of Defense when it comes to addressing treatment for exiting service members. Craig Bryan, executive director for the National Center for Veterans Studies at the University of Utah, said about 70 percent of veterans who have attempted suicide were already diagnosed with a mental illness.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., asks a question concerning suicide data during a Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington

Tester said more funding is needed to address the concerns. "We need to do a better job of outreach," he said. "It's going to cost money to get health professionals on the ground in urban and rural areas." The VA is also facing challenges filling a long list of openings, from high-ranking officials to mental health professionals. Shulkin said the agency needs 1,000 such professionals "now." Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., told Shulkin that he's concerned the agency hasn't been filling its mental health professional openings fast enough. "That is unacceptable," Shulkin said. "We will do better. That just is not the way I want the department run." Blumenthal also expressed concern that suicides can be a worsening issue for those veterans who have been dishonorably discharged, especially among veterans suffering from mental illness. Veterans who have been dishonorably discharged can "feel stigmatized," he said. "It is a vicious cycle. A lethal cycle that can lead to suicide."

Lawmakers suggested more can be done to address mental illness among service members exiting the military. "For the military, the easy thing is to toss someone out who has behavioral problems," Tester said. The VA report examined the veteran suicide trends in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico from 1979 to 2014. The report also found the suicide rate among middle-aged and older veterans remains high. For example, 65 percent of veteran suicides in 2014 involved people age 50 and older. Officials have said they hope the report will be used to develop and evaluate suicide prevention programs across the United States and gain insight into high-risk populations. Shulkin has said the report's findings were "deeply concerning," and has made suicide prevention his top clinical priority. He has said he is committed to reducing the suicides through support and education. "This is a national public health issue that requires a concerted, national approach," Shulkin said in the Sept. 15 release of the report. During his testimony, he also highlighted a hotline for veterans in crisis. Veterans needing such help can call 800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/09/28/senators-more-must-be-done-to-reduce-vet-suicides.html
Click to expand...

Guess Who · Oct 1, 2017

A lot of it is the drugs they give these vets. I know this from VNam vet I knew and helped care fro in the early 70s. VA would send him home wit ha small paper bag full of strong mind altering drugs. Some known to cause depression and suicide. We also lost the help of family this past couple genrations.
Many are homeless. I don't pass any homeless I don't give to. If they are rip offs it is one them, if they are really in need it is one me.

Deckel · Oct 1, 2017

Guess Who said: ↑

A lot of it is the drugs they give these vets. I know this from VNam vet I knew and helped care fro in the early 70s. VA would send him home wit ha small paper bag full of strong mind altering drugs. Some known to cause depression and suicide. We also lost the help of family this past couple genrations.
Many are homeless. I don't pass any homeless I don't give to. If they are rip offs it is one them, if they are really in need it is one me.
Click to expand...

It isn't confined to the military. I know far too many people strung out on prescription meds, and people who used to be on prescription drugs self-medicating with street drugs. It would not surprise me if Big Pharma replaces Big Tobacco as our number one corporate killer. Coroners need to stop hiding this stuff as "Accidental overdoses" and "Adverse drug reactions" and label it what it is.

That said, the military is like graduate school--it is a place where people with underlying issues migrate to hide in plain sight.

Log in or Sign up

Veteran Suicides

waltky Well-Known Member

waltky Well-Known Member

waltky Well-Known Member

Guess Who Well-Known Member

Deckel Well-Known Member Past Donor

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Veteran Suicides

waltky Well-Known Member

waltky Well-Known Member

waltky Well-Known Member

Guess Who Well-Known Member

Deckel Well-Known Member Past Donor

Share This Page

Useful Searches