Return to Previous Page: Surviving the After Effects of WarBut that hadn't worked, so, after returning home, the bridge it was. Just before he reached for his car keys, Mr. Crary said he thought to pick up the phone and call a counselor he'd been in touch with since his return to the states in May 2007. That call saved his life, he said.
If I couldn't have gotten a hold of anybody on the phone, I probably would have driven right out there," the 27-year-old Chattanooga resident said. "The constant thoughts of Iraq were just making me really, really, really depressed, and they wouldn't get out of my mind. They were driving me nuts."
Mr. Crary was fortunate. A growing number of veterans are surviving combat but not the after-effects -- namely
post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD and accompanying addictions or
mood disorders create a fatal recipe that veteran advocates say is contributing to a staggering suicide rate among military personnel.
If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of war, don't lose hope. With the help of a professional, you can begin to piece your life together. Learn more about
suicide warning signs and how to
get help.
Category: Veterans' Disability
To reply to this message, enter your reply in the box labeled "Message", hit "Post Message."
