Evil Angel's blog: "Emotional Crisis"

Vets flooding suicide hot line Phone service getting up to 250 calls daily Monday, July 28, 2008 The VA estimates that every year 6,500 veterans take their own lives. The mental health director for the VA, Ira Katz, said in an e-mail last December that of the 18 veterans who commit suicide each day, four to five of them are under VA care, and 12,000 veterans under VA care are attempting suicide each year. This month, the hot line began an advertising campaign in Washington area subway stations and buses featuring the slogan, “It takes the courage and strength of a warrior to ask for help.” The veterans hot line, which is linked to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, received 55,000 callers in its first year, including both veterans and people who are concerned about them, according to figures being released Monday. One-third of the 40 specially trained counselors are veterans themselves. “We try to get them [callers] to talk about their situation and what they remember and see if they can identify exactly what their issues are. I think there's a comfort in knowing that they can get some help from people who do understand what combat stress is like,” Ms. Kemp said. From the call center, counselors instantly can check a veteran's medical records and then connect the caller to local VA suicide-prevention coordinators for follow-up, monitoring and care at local VA medical centers. Ms. Kemp said that since the hot line started, 106 veterans have been steered to free medical care from the VA. She said the hot line was put in place specifically for those veterans who don't get enough help until it's too late. Then-Pfc. Joseph Dwyer seen here in March 2003 rescuing an injured Iraqi boy, died this month of an accidental overdose after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. (Associated Press) “They have indicated to us that they are in extreme danger, either they have guns in their hand or they're standing on a bridge, or they've already swallowed pills,” she said. Ms. Kemp said 1,221 veterans who were in such situations were rescued during the hot line's first year. The VA is preparing for the eventual return of a large number of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. This could put added stress on the mental health screening program for returning veterans, which could lead to a rise in undiagnosed mental health issues. The VA recently got enough money to double its suicide-prevention staff and is planning to hire 212 more people soon. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by calling 800/273-TALK (8255); veterans should press “1” after being connected.