Older Vets Committing Suicide At Alarming Rate

[OldDoorGunner]

This f*cking sucks!!!!!

However I can understand some of the why of it. With me it will come down to my quality of life if and when it comes to that!!!

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/08/31/older-vets-committing-suicide-at-alarming-rate.html

J R

 

[atilla]

I can understand it too. Been years since my service. Im a lot older now. They mentioned the chronic pain. Dealing with it every day for years, and the stress of working to try to prove to family and friends that you can still function like a normal person. It piles up after a while. I've been right there on the edge a couple of times. Your right, its about quality of life.

 

[Grizzly]

It's sad. I understand how it can happen with the older vets. It almost scares me when my time comes to either quit or retire. What will happen next?

For us Gulf War guys who were basically poisoned. How will our quality of life be at 55-60? Being only in my 40's now. I'm not looking forward to the golden years.

 

[reddevil1111]

When you lose all hope, when your in constant pain and you have little or no support from family or friends....

Remember a lot of the guys drink pretty heavy. Its that self medicating thing.

I get it. Its not pretty but I do understand why they would do it.

How do you solve it? Maybe add value into their lives. Get rid of the crappy VA. Give every vet Medicare. Maybe more focus needs to be made on the current batch. It might be to late for us older vets but maybe its not for the OIF/OEF guys and gals. Maybe they could call them in and ask them how they are doing. You know? Maybe give a shit about vets. The current pipeline attitude shows us the only value we have is while serving. That's pretty shitty IMO.

 

[JarHed]

It's still about each individual getting up and going out to get the help they need. No one is going to come knocking on your door. That's a hard thing no matter what age you are but it does get harder as you get older.

You have to find a life and value in that after the service. That may be the toughest part. It's a fact that people that are engaged in their life and have some goals and things to still look forward to, no matter what the age, but especially for older people you live a longer and better life. You've still got to be the one to get out there and do it.

It doesn't get easier as you get older, not for anyone, not just vets. We have more on our plate for sure but we're not alone with that. It's still the same; improvise, adapt and overcome, the best you can.

 

[Deleted member 43454]

Man I read this and I couldn't help but think if I'm in this state now at 25. How the hell I could even make it to 50. I just don't see it.
It's why when I see you older guy's still kicking around it serves as a model for us younger guys. Hey they're still going strong. There is still hope.

People say, "Ah you're young find a girl, settle down." I can't hardly stand my own shit, let alone somebody else's. Not saying it's anybodies fault or anything like that. I haven't been back to the VA group therapy in a while. Wonder if they think I'm dead. Maybe they know the isolation routines. Couldn't imagine if I didn't have family.

This site is important. I tell a few combat veterans about it. And if they know anybody going through some shit to come on over.
I don't go about advertising it because I don't want my shrink to know I think he's a dingle berry. Jk. But yea that dude don't give two f*cks.

 

[atilla]

I am thankful for a lot of things and one is that i am able to work. I try to occupy my mind with it. Like you say Jar, improvise adapt and overcome. It's all we can do, or give up, and failure is not an option Brothers and Sisters.

 

[atilla]

Man I read this and I couldn't help but think if I'm in this state now at 25. How the hell I could even make it to 50. I just don't see it.
It's why when I see you older guy's still kicking around it serves as a model for us younger guys. Hey they're still going strong. There is still hope.

People say, "Ah you're young find a girl, settle down." I can't hardly stand my own shit, let alone somebody else's. Not saying it's anybodies fault or anything like that. I haven't been back to the VA group therapy in a while. Wonder if they think I'm dead. Maybe they know the isolation routines. Couldn't imagine if I didn't have family.

This site is important. I tell a few combat veterans about it. And if they know anybody going through some shit to come on over.
I don't go about advertising it because I don't want my shrink to know I think he's a dingle berry. Jk. But yea that dude don't give two f*cks.

Ditto on the site being important. I've told a few of the guys I served with about this place. Took me forever to even check out this type of site. I'm glad I did, and I hope more vets check it out. Dr, I hope you can find a therapist who at least acts like he gives a shit. There are very few that do care about our well being.

 

[OldDoorGunner]

Dr Black said, I don't go about advertising it because I don't want my shrink to know I think he's a dingle berry. Jk. But yea that dude don't give two f*cks.

I have had a few Doc's like that in the passed. I look them right in he eye and ask. Are you sure you went to f*cking Med School or did you just take a few online classes? Then I tell them, you may work for the VA, but you see Doc I will not turn your sorry ass in to the VA. I will however turn in my complaint on your ass to the AMA, both State & Fed's!!!

Now would you like to fine me a real Doctor, like right now or should I start my AMA complaint??? I had one get mad and tried to call my bluff....So I got out my cell phone, asked the info opt to connect me to the AMA (cost .95cents) Doc shit his pants, ask me to wait and left the room. About a minute goes by, a new Doc come in and says, what did you do to your other doc? I told him I did not think that he was a real Doctor. He was more like a dumb ass, know it all f*ck head and I was calling the AMA to start a complaint on him......The new Doc say's, it's about time someone had the balls to get in his face. No wonder he took the rest of the day off. I stayed with this new Doc for a year, till the end of his VA contract. He did not like working for the VA....Sorry to say be we lost a good man/doctor at the VA when he left.

In dealing with the VA doctors, be nice and polite with them. (it's the VA rules) But you can be firm and tell them what you think and what you are going to do...... Stand your ground......If you have a doc you can't work with, ask for a new one and yes, tell them why. I have found that bad doc's don't want to be looked at from on high. Me I'll put the asshole in the spotlight.....

J R

 

[dutchiedelta]

A lot of drs seem to be in it for the money only.
It's not easy when life or the quality of life depend on someone who'd rather be golfing.

Spoke with a UNIFIL vet this morning.
His wife had asked him were they'd be in 5 years time.
He couldn't even imagine next month,

One minute at a time.
Step by step.

 

[19K30]

He'll I've only been on meds since 09 and I can't imagine what my life will be like when I'm 60. Before I got hurt my last deployment I could take an aspirin and be good now I can take a shit ton of pain meds before they work.

 

[combatgoldfish]

Another factor is many of these older veterans are finally slowing down. When you're not occupied with things like work, ptsd knocks on the door.