My response to the recent CNN, The Uncounted, project released about military family suicides. Ive read several of the comments below, and the arguing and bickering demonstrates just how divisive, controversial and misunderstood this topic truly is. As a veteran of the Army, I served on active duty in the late 90s into the early 00s. I was out of the military for a decade before reenlisting into the National Guard as a Chaplains Assistant. I encounter soldiers at the unit level, in a counselor capacity. Suicide in the military, military families, and veteran community is now my lifes work. What is rarely spoken of is the deeper issues that have helped fuel the issues we are seeing now. In regards to the veteran community, most agree that the system could use improvement and updating, but few know where to begin. Interestingly, in regards to counseling or counselors within the VA system, the VA only looks to hire candidates with LCSW licensure or those with a Doctorate. Congress has had a bill in front of them nearly every year that expands the scope of candidates and acceptable providers to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) candidates that have the same, if not more detailed education regarding proper counseling techniques and therapies. There are thousands of LPC graduates being turned out each year from CACREP programs that are not able to provide quality care for veterans, families, and clients on federal health care programs because the licensure is not recognized. There is virtually no argument against opening these avenues up for LPC holders, and too many against to count. Simply put, it just isnt that important to Congress or the American people to push this issue, despite the countless recent public stories about mental health. The LCSW licensure track is older, and well-established, as we as a society are not overly adaptable or open to change. Interesting, because what we are failing to change is a system that is not meeting the need. If you were to search open counseling jobs within the VA system, you will find literally hundreds of openings that could be filled with capable counselors by making this one simple change. This isnt to say it is a magic fix, but it certainly would not hurt, or affect quality of care. This is just one small issue in an ocean of problems that are contributing to our loss. For those in the National Guard, this issue in a perplexing and difficult one. Most DOD reports and programs put great focus and aim on Active Duty soldiers and families, and yet the National Guard shoulders huge amounts of the mission. It has been stated that NG suicides werent able to be tracked accurately; interesting since every NG soldier is on a line roster that is tracked for everything else ranging from attendance, to PT, to schooling and many other things. It has been reported that listing the NG suicides skews results because NG soldiers do not have access to the top-notch mental health care that Active Duty soldiers have access too; the same top-notch mental health care that is failing to meet the needs of the Active Duty community now. The same has been said about NG families in relation to tracking statistics. Many believe that the reality behind this is that the NG suicide rate is actually much higher than its Active Duty counterpart. There is much speculation and bickering (even seen here) over the military of today versus previous years forces. Comments about WWI, WWII, Vietnam and Korea seem to abound when talking about todays forces. Could it be that this issue was just as misunderstood yesteryear as it is today? Could the genuine lack of understanding now be a product of a generational misunderstanding of a deeper issue then? I see comments about how those involved in various campaigns had it the hardest respectively, as if to lobby for position of worst off, completely failing to take into account that we are one nation, one military, and should be united in the fight against losing one more of our men or women, wives or husbands, children or friends. The reality is, each generation has had its issues, and as the human population continues to evolve and learn, each generation will encounter new issues. It is our job, especially as members of the military and veteran communities, to band together ad fight this enemy. Suicide hides in the shadows, shrouded in a protective cloak of stigma. We need to drag this beast into the light and shred it of its protection. This cannot happen if we continue to bicker, blame, and fail to unlock the doors needed to provide care and nurturing to those hurting. Before you blast me, understand this. I do this on a daily basis. I have planned my suicide to every last detail. I purchased a Ruger 9MM, and had my day and time set. Im not some armchair quarterback sitting in my comfortably numb cocoon lobbing accusations. I have lived this and I have survived this. I have one semester left before I gain my B.S. Psych - Crisis Counseling/Military Resilience and I will continue on to gain my Masters so that I can affect this issue. I volunteer with local Veterans organizations, am a sitting member of the county Veterans Advisory Council, and a NG soldier, and work with the local crisis intervention organization. Combatting this enemy requires action, far more than it requires lofty accusations and empty accusational words. There is no denying that this is a growing issue, the number one killer in our Active Duty forces, a killer claiming more than a battalion sized element of veterans each month. Simply put: we need to put our differences aside, lay down our pride, set aside our political divides and band together to support those that have chosen to voluntarily fight for the country they love. We need to love those that love US. Im thankful to CNN for raising awareness, and truly and desperately hope this spurs action where it is needed; with lawmakers, leaders, loved ones and communities. Thank you.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 14:38:47 +0000