Bill to Reduce Veteran Suicide Rate Could be Passed

Eight thousand veterans commit suicide every year, which is more veterans than have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since the war in the Middle East began.

Right now, a bill is sitting on President Obama’s desk which aims to reduce the suicide rate for American veterans. Twenty two military veterans commit suicide every day. James Corley, a Vietnam War veteran and Commander at VFW Post 2434, says, "It’s the ghost of people that come back and haunt you over and over and sometimes it is so depressing that it becomes overwhelming."

The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act aims to better help veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.) The legislation would create pilot programs to support groups for veterans and help staff the VA with more psychiatrists. Dr. Linda Cox, a psychologist and VA Behavioral Health Program Manager for Transitional Care, says, "Already, the VA has been funneling a lot of resources and attention and energy into mental health, realizing it’s such a need, but I think the bill will help bring even more awareness, hopefully some actual resources to bear."

The suicide rate among veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq is 50% higher than that of the general public. Veterans at the VFW in Biloxi tell News 25 helping vets cope with P.T.S.D. needs to be a priority. Corley closes, "We’ve asked these people to step up and they have. They just need a period of time that they need, a transition back into the civilian world where you don’t have to fight for your life."

The VA Behavioral Health Clinic in Biloxi is already popular and hopes are that by having the means to expand it, they can help more veterans shy away from suicidal thoughts. Veterans say while they don’t believe the passage of this bill will fix the suicide problem at the drop of a hat, it is certainly a step in the right direction. The VA strongly encourages veterans who are struggling to call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.