Noteboom The Law Firm

Tampa VA Offers Suicide Prevention Program

October 15, 2010 - More soldiers and veterans are suffering from mental problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression than many people realize. The most unfortunate part is the incredibly small amount of veterans actually seeking help. Many won't seek help because they are convinced they can handle it on their own or they believe it shows weakness to ask for help. For those still in service, the stigma of asking for help or being diagnosed with a mental disorder is greatly heightened.

According to the Department of Defense (DoD), a service member commits suicide every 36 hours. Tampa's James A. Haley Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital treats approximately 20 veterans a week they consider high-risk threats for committing suicide. In Florida between 2004 and 2009, over 3,700 veterans of military service killed themselves. The army spent $50 million last year attempting to prevent suicides, but the problem is not going away, it's worsening.

Suicide prevention means being more open in discussing it, and that has been the problem-discussing suicide and mental health issues out in the open. Tampa's VA center offers intensive treatment for suicidal veterans and they have seen very positive results. Their program is comprehensive and operates as a supplement to the VA's other mental health services. Patients in Haley's suicide prevention program receive more attentive care, which includes becoming part of a recovery group.

Haley has had to increase their mental health staff from 100 to over 250 and their PTSD team increased from 5 to 15 to handle the volume of their patients. Hopefully these suicide prevention efforts will give veterans the help they need and take away some of the stigma of getting the help they deserve.