Caring for our Veterans

• Opinion by Victor Montgomery –

There are roughly 18.5 million military veterans living today in the United States of America. Approximately 1.8 million of those men and women have served our great country boldly and loyally during the ‘thunder and lightning’ of the Desert Storm ground invasion and air campaigns in 1991, to Iraq and Afghanistan. My study and research also indicate tens of thousands of those still living have served in wars and conflicts dating as far back as 50- 60 years ago, including WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. 

The need for healthcare for veterans isn’t going away. It is mounting, especially when we factor in many thousands of depressed, suicidal “invisible” vets who have been in hiding and are just now beginning to come in for help. Today, because of a more positive and proactive Congress and by the pressure of  the American people, including many families living with distressed veterans at home, has upped the ante and put unrelenting pressure to send more money and resources to the Department of Defense-Veteran Affairs to get the job done, and done properly. The results are beginning to be seen. The current administration in Washington has also improved the focus on healthcare by enacting the veterans’ Choice and Accountability programs. The expanded team and resources at the National Veteran’s Suicide Prevention Lifeline is just one example of action taken. Another is a huge effort to offer OEF/OIF, Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans, an accelerated assessment and evaluation process by the on-site Crisis Prevention Coordinators at each of the 153 VA Medical Centers across the country; as well as other local community outreach programs. These coordinators are psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, medical doctors and other highly trained healthcare team members that are on call to receive referrals directly from the National Lifeline. The Lifeline’s primary function and goal is to get the distressed veteran to safety and the CPC will in turn provide further referrals, treatment planning and other treatment team support contacts at the Medical Center. What is happening to our combat veterans?  Extremely distressing experiences and multiple deployments that cause severe emotional shock happen to many competent, robust, rugged veterans. The fact is that having symptoms after a traumatic event is not a sign of personal weakness. Many psychologically well-adjusted and physically healthy veterans develop PTSD. More likely than not anyone would develop post-traumatic stress if they were exposed to severe enough traumas. Many veterans deployed back to their families have ongoing psychological and physiological difficulties following exposure to combat. Veterans who react to war traumas are not going insane. In fact, most cases are treatable. By recognizing the effects of the emotional shock and knowing more about symptoms, a combat warrior is better able to decide about getting treatment. Suicidal thoughts can be troubling, especially when accompanied by depression, other mental health conditions, and alcohol or other drug abuse issues. These situations demand your immediate attention. These conditions can indicate serious illness. 

I want to offer all veterans and caregivers hope and inspiration; sharing the truth about recovering from what seems like a never-ending hopeless pit of darkness. I want to motivate you to put one foot in front of the other, to plant your feet firmly on the ground; step forward. Test the water of healing. Test the water of your spiritual condition. Reach out. You can do this. Oorah! Your quality of life is very much worth saving. Suicide is a disastrously permanent decision to a temporary problem. “Oh, yes you do have a reason to live and I will tell you why!” We all are in this together. It is not a matter of those folks and their problems. It is our opportunity to grow and make a difference. First and foremost, if you are a praying person, pray for our nation’s leaders to make good decisions in the coming months and years for the advancement of democracy and peace in the world. Be an encourager not a discourager. Support, call on your government legislators, local and in Washington, D.C. demanding reform and resources to take better care of our warriors, not only those returning home but those repeatedly being sent in harm’s way knowing they are mentally unfit to fight. It is not only obvious but concrete that there are not enough combat trauma trained healthcare providers to handle the increasing numbers of veteran’s killing themselves because they have not been properly cared for. Twenty U.S. veterans take their own lives each day. 

One model for offering care, The Heart-to-Heart Resuscitation Recovery Model offers hope for ailing veterans. It encourages caring empathically for our veterans of all ages and eras, not to judge him or her but to unconditionally have compassion and a caring attitude. If  there ever has been a time to demonstrate a caring attitude toward a veteran you know or know about …that time is NOW!  Veterans struggling with their war time experiences may need some extra love right now during the Coronavirus- 19 pandemic. Whether you are face-to-face with the vet or on the telephone or writing a letter please keep in mind the words I once read…” Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Disorder (TBI) and suicide ideation are not best understood or treated as a stress disorder… rather it is best understood as an identity disorder and soul wound, affecting the personality at the deepest levels (Edward Tick 2005).”

Victor Montgomery III is a Marine Corp veteran. Vic has worked many years as a primary therapist, family counselor, educator, and certified and registered addiction specialist. Mr. Montgomery is the author of Healing Suicidal Veterans – Recognizing, Supporting and Answering Their Pleas for Help (New Horizon Press, October 2009). Today, Vic and his wife reside in Western Upstate New York.

To get in touch, e-mail: coachmontgomery@yahoo.com.