New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets

[nitpicker]

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2018/01/09/new-trump-order-focused-on-preventing-suicide-among-new-vets/

New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets

By: Leo Shane III ?  19 hours ago

WASHINGTON — In an effort to stem the tide of veterans suicides, President Donald Trump on Tuesday will sign an executive order mandating new mental health options for recently separated service members. Federal officials estimate about 20 veterans a day nationwide take their own lives, but outside advocates say they believe that number could be even higher. The departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have launched numerous initiatives in recent years to increase outreach to at-risk veterans, with mixed results.

The new executive order will require those two bureaucracies and the Department of Homeland Security within 60 days to establish new plans for “seamless mental health care” for troops leaving the military services. Once written, the agencies will have another six months to put the new reforms into place.

The plans could include expanded VA health services, extended access to Defense Department resources, more availability for care in the private sector, or some combination of all of those options.

White House officials familiar with the new order said the plans are also expected to include changes to the military’s post-service transition programs, to put a bigger emphasis on mental health care importance and availability.
(snip)

[snowybirdie]

1. This sounds great

but did his order also provide funding for expanded VA services? His Executive Orders are meaningless without plans and funds to back them up. All show.

[Victor_c3]

2. I appreciate the intention, but I dont think itll make much of a difference

As a vet who deals with severe PTSD and has attempted suicide in the past, I don’t know what could be done to “cure” me of the suicidal ideation thing.

Maybe a lobotomy would work, but I might be a little leery about that option.

You can’t unsee or forget certain things. Guilt and feelings of shame surround my memories of Iraq and I’m constantly reliving events over and over either in the form of flashbacks, intrusive thought or memories or in dreams and nightmares when I sleep.

Medication can and does help, but it doesn’t make it go away. You can only say and hear so much from counselors and groups. After a while they’ve done all they can for you and you become stuck living with this stuff for the rest of your life.

Perhaps instead of spending money on treatment, I think they should just build a big compound for us crazy vets, fill it with all sorts of buffets and food, stock it with alcohol and drugs, and send a bunch of prostitutes there for the crazy vets to party with until we drop dead. That’s something I’d go for!

[Cold War Spook]

3. I think that is a great idea.

Seriously, if not the whole thing, at least some parts of it. I am good 8 days a year. That is my annual visit to the psych ward, Fayetteville NC VA. I joke with the nurses. I tell them that the only thing missing is a heated swimming pool. Then I would be there permanently. They tweak my meds and I am fine as long as I am in there. I am not a combat vet. It just hit me at age 21. Doctor told me that if you are going to go crazy that is the time it usually starts. So even though the military didn't have anything to do with it, since I was on active duty I am covered for life.

[pwb]

4. I was with you until your last paragraph?

Legalizing marijuana would be better than all the drugs they ever gave me. They all fucked up some other function with the side effects.

[denbot]

5. Ill give credit where credit is due.

The due will come when he FORCES the house republicans to fund it.