Local Veterans Outreach Program Assists Veterans with PTSD and Other Services
By: Jose G. Landa, 2015 Copyright, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The recent movie titled “American Sniper” detailing the life of former U.S. Navy Seal sniper Chris Kyle and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health issues afflicting U.S. Veterans after returning home from combat tours highlights the extraordinary needs and assistance required by our U.S. Veterans.
American expert sniper Chris Kyle was killed himself by another U.S. Veteran, Eddie Ray Houth, whom he was trying to help to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and mental issues.
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, an ErathCounty jury in Stephenville, Texas found Eddie Ray Routh guilty of capital murder of American Sniper hero Chris Kyle, denying Routh’s claims of mental insanity. Nonetheless, this tragic incident has raised the awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health issues affecting U.S. Veterans.
Many U.S. Veterans returning home from foreign war combat tours or zones experience serious PTSD and mental health issues requiring assistance from the U.S. Veterans Administration, country, community, family, and friends to deal with their personal issues.
One of the largest issue affecting U.S. Veterans is a significant increase of suicide rates as a result of severe depression and mental stress issues. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that 22 Veterans commit suicide each day. That means that approximately 8,030 Veterans kill themselves every year through suicide, of which more than 5,540 are 50 years of age or older.
Government studies show that 70 percent of all veterans who commit suicide are age 50 or older, according to the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department. Compared to non-veterans, this statistical number is more than double.
Veteran advocates have stated that older Veterans often time feel that their country has forgotten them and about their personal sacrifices they made in foreign wars for their country and communities. Older Veterans become depressed and feel hopeless as the U.S. Veterans Administration and community resources struggle to handle their PTSD and mental health issues.
The U.S. Veterans Affairs estimate that 30 percent of Vietnam Veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder compared with 11 to 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
Many aging veterans face the same issues as the overall population in growing older, such as declining health, which can fuel strong feelings of loneliness and isolation. Older people also tend to suffer from more chronic pain, especially if they have endured a war wound adding to their mental health issues, including PTSD.
Other issues that have been determined and pointed out as to the increase in older Veterans suicides are the diminishing overall activities of these persons that might add to the mental instability of a person with diagnosed or undiagnosed signs of PTSD or other mental issues.
A local Veteran who suffers from diagnosed PTSD stated that in some ways keeping active has helped him living and dealing with the ailment. “You learn how to live with it. Since your serving you have a set schedule and you get used to being busy so you really don’t see or feel many of the issues. You keep busy. It’s when you come home and try to re-adjust to life that does become an issue, battling with those issues up to now is difficult but you live through it,” said a local Veteran who requested anonymity. This local Veteran noted he feels anxious and nervous when being in large, public places with many people around him or the place. He avoids going to large gatherings of people such as weddings, quinceneras, shopping malls, stores, and public events.
“You are always on guard. It’s like if it’s embedded in you. You know I used to tell my wife when I was deployed that I missed doing the small things with her, shopping, and family things and when I returned and until now I have a hard time even going shopping with them because of all the movements and loud noises and other things. I find so much comfort just being at home,” said the local Veteran.
The local Veteran did noted that his issues with PTSD have in some instances caused severe panic attacks but generally is able to keep them under control through support groups and resources.
“At the beginning it was real bad and I used to turn to my wife and she would ask me what is wrong with you. I used to tell her I don’t feel comfortable. She has seen it from the beginning, she noticed it when I myself didn’t know what was going on. Issues stemming from it are hard on daily life but we have to deal with it. I served my country and I served it proudly,” said the local Veteran.
“You know one thing I do wish we would see is more community awareness and participation in supporting our troops. A simple thank you gets you a long way but I feel that we sometimes are forgotten even by our community,” said the local Veteran.
Another local Veteran tragically committed suicide on December 21, 2014 in Eagle Pass, Texas, leaving behind a caring and loving family.
The problems stemming from serving our military and the realities of war are often amassed with adjusting back into society which often becomes harsh if you begin to add other problems such as unemployment, injuries, social isolation, homelessness, and addiction.
Often such problems are connected to PTSD, a mental disorder that can occur following a traumatic event like war or sexual assault. PTSD can include painful traumatic flashbacks, nightmares, outbursts, thoughts of suicide and depressive feelings that lead to bouts of severe sadness.
The serious suicide crisis among U.S. Veterans has prompted Congress to pass a Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill, called the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, to assist and aid veterans with PTSD, mental illness, and other issues, which was signed into law by U.S. President Barrack Obama on February 12, 2015. This new law will assist Veterans with better access to mental health care treatment and facilities within the U.S..
President Obama has taken an initiative to provide U.S. Veterans with the assistance needed to treat or manage their PTSD and mental illnesses. In August 2014, President Obama announced a series of Executive Order actions aimed at improving access to mental health services for U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. The Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act, signed by President Obama in December 2014 requires a yearly mental health assessment for all service members.
In Eagle Pass and Maverick County, local U.S. Veterans can obtain assistance with their PTSD, mental illnesses, or any other issue through the Camino Real Community Services and its new Veterans Outreach Program located at 757 Rio Grande Street or by contacting Veterans Outreach Coordinator Danny Cruz at (830) 752-7776 or Veterans Caseworker Ernesto Torres at (830) 513-8457. The Veterans Outreach Program in Eagle Pass is open to all U.S. Veterans, active U.S. military service personnel, and their respective families.
