Poll Does the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) help you in your fight against PTSD?

[Ronin]

I don’t use the VA, for anything, so I ticked “No.”

Ditto. Not state applicable.

& When I was in states where it was & qualified, didn’t use the resources either, because profound distrust of institutions / f*ck any & all formal networks if informal support does the same. Working with(in) them is one thing. Letting them into my life & relations entirely another.

 

[Freida]

there are many horror stories but I've been VERY lucky with my va therapist. I've been with her for 3 years...even thought there is a fight to get vets with PTSD out as fast as possible ( lack of resources). I also have a civilian therapist I work with as a private pay.

 

[Kubash16]

Wow, that's a lot. By whom do you receive these orders? I guess it's the military doctors or psychologists. And why do they prescribe that much medication? Do you have any idea?

They are ordered by doctors for the vets or ordered by the vets themselves. As to why, I don’t have that exact information since I’m pretty low on the totem pole. However I do see the prescriptions themselves and they often have reasonings listed. It runs the full gamut of everything you can think of. The top issues we dole out drugs for are diabetes, erectile dysfunction, heart issues, and depression.

 

[Lori0122]

Could you cite an example? I would like to get a better understanding.

I talked to a vet who said this:

"The VA is quick to throw medication at every problem, including PTSD. I believe that the VA is way behind when it comes to therapy. My VA doesn’t even offer EMDR as an option which means I pay out of pocket for my EMDR therapy."

As an employee of the VA, can you agree to those statements?

I get EMDR paid for by the Community Care/Choice program. Your Psych doc at the VA can refer you.

 

[Kubash16]

I hope your paper turned out great @Simon Marc. I know you probably aren’t checking in anymore but I figured I would update for anyone interested. We just got in last quarters numbers. Our revenue was $33.8 million.

 

[Gs172003]

Not a vet either but my cousin was. Note the was. He went to the VA for help when he was suicidal and was put on a waiting list. He didn't make it that long.

 

[LuckiLee]

I'm so sorry @Zoogal. ?

I have so many thoughts and feelings about this I don't even know where to start.

J struggles with SI. Probably more than he actually shares with me. My first encounter with the VA was after my guy was about to carry out a plan. I found him. He called the 1 800# and off we went to the ER. They talked him down (and medicated him) and got him in the next morning with a pdoc. Saved his life.

He was in no position to advocate for himself so I TOLD them what he needed AND what we were going to do. I think if I hadn't been there in the ER with him they would have treated him just like they treated your cousin. And J wouldn't be with me today.

Our veterans are doing 8,9,10.....15 deployments. It's inhumane. J and his T did the math. He was deployed 13 YEARS out of his career. (That's not including all his years of training) Wars, war on terrorism, genocide, war on drugs, humanitarian aid, death, violence, death, violence... Of course they struggle with depression, anger and suicidal ideation.

I don't know the answer. But I do know the fact that they are taking their lives on VA property (3 in one month) is definitely a call, scream, yell, cry for change.

The VA J goes to now isn't the same one he went to 6 years ago. Our VA has come a long way. Lots of new faces and programs. But I still advocate for him if I need to. (Us civvies don't take orders lol)

It is so heartbreaking because they finally reach out for help (we all know how brutal that can be!!) and it isn't there. At the freaking VA. Help isn't there for a Veteran needing help!!! What in the actual F#CK!?!?!

People are talking about it. The President acknowledges it. The VA is addressing it. Veterans are talking about it. The press is addressing it (not always is a helpful way) Now we just need to bring our troops home! And start to heal as a nation. (A girl can dream)

It seems every VA is different (seriously what is going on in Florida??). The system is so broken at this point it can only get better. Right?

Again, so very sorry about your cousin. XO

On a lighter note. Good job @Kubash16. You rock!! ???

 

[Gs172003]

I'm so sorry @Zoogal. ?

I have so many thoughts and feelings about this I don't even know where to start.

J struggles with SI. Probably more than he actually shares with me. My first encounter with the VA was after my guy was about to carry out a plan. I found him. He called the 1 800# and off we went to the ER. They talked him down (and medicated him) and got him in the next morning with a pdoc. Saved his life.

He was in no position to advocate for himself so I TOLD them what he needed AND what we were going to do. I think if I hadn't been there in the ER with him they would have treated him just like they treated your cousin. And J wouldn't be with me today.

Our veterans are doing 8,9,10.....15 deployments. It's inhumane. J and his T did the math. He was deployed 13 YEARS out of his career. (That's not including all his years of training) Wars, war on terrorism, genocide, war on drugs, humanitarian aid, death, violence, death, violence... Of course they struggle with depression, anger and suicidal ideation.

I don't know the answer. But I do know the fact that they are taking their lives on VA property (3 in one month) is definitely a call, scream, yell, cry for change.

The VA J goes to now isn't the same one he went to 6 years ago. Our VA has come a long way. Lots of new faces and programs. But I still advocate for him if I need to. (Us civvies don't take orders lol)

It is so heartbreaking because they finally reach out for help (we all know how brutal that can be!!) and it isn't there. At the freaking VA. Help isn't there for a Veteran needing help!!! What in the actual F#CK!?!?!

People are talking about it. The President acknowledges it. The VA is addressing it. Veterans are talking about it. The press is addressing it (not always is a helpful way) Now we just need to bring our troops home! And start to heal as a nation. (A girl can dream)

It seems every VA is different (seriously what is going on in Florida??). The system is so broken at this point it can only get better. Right?

Again, so very sorry about your cousin. XO

On a lighter note. Good job @Kubash16. You rock!! ???

Thank you. He only deployed once but that's all it took. He was 26.

 

[Freida]

Not a vet either but my cousin was. Note the was. He went to the VA for help when he was suicidal and was put on a waiting list. He didn't make it that long.

I'm so sorry

J struggles with SI. Probably more than he actually shares with me. My first encounter with the VA was after my guy was about to carry out a plan. I found him. He called the 1 800# and off we went to the ER. They talked him down (and medicated him) and got him in the next morning with a pdoc. Saved his life.

Hubby finally convinced me to call one very ugly night and they talked with me for about an hour. They couldn't get me in to see anyone for six weeks, but someone from the hotline called me back a couple times over the next days to make sure I was doing ok. The six weeks was tough, but it was the same wait at Kaiser so....

It is so heartbreaking because they finally reach out for help (we all know how brutal that can be!!) and it isn't there. At the freaking VA. Help isn't there for a Veteran needing help!!! What in the actual F#CK!?!?!

We lose 22 a day. 22. A. Day. I'm on several vet chat rooms and it is a huge, huge problem. Much more than the American public realizes or wants to admit - which is why there are so many public suicides happening right now. And it is still 8 to 10 weeks to get in to see someone. We get lots of promises but not a lot of help. :(

 

[joeylittle]

@Simon Marc posted his term paper, if anyone's curious.

 

[Freida]

well done @Simon Marc !!!

 

[ground crew]

The VA saved my ass. SI, homeless and broken. To be fair, I bitched and berated the people till they kicked my case to a very qualifed EMDR therapist and department head. (I have a high IQ which has its own set of traumas, but i do make my points...) So the VA was where it happened, but it didn't happen by just swallowing the pills the doctor's computer orders. I had to insist on "no pills, scalpel or electrodes!" This confused them a lot. But I got the good stuff. I am better, working on great,.