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LuckyDuck

LuckyDuck

Old Salt
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Nov 4, 2020
    2,967
    9,481
    Pennsylvania
    #1
    If you're having a REALLY bad night, just dial 988 and hit option '1'.

    If you want to IM, I've got ya, go to: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat

    (Please don't let the 'crisis' moniker scare you off)- by all means you can shit talk the hell out of them but all that link will do is have you IM'ing a fellow Vet.

    If you say the hell with calling or web browsing and just want to text and shit post that way, I've got ya there too, just text '838255' . Please feel free to share your trolling of that option of a fellow Vet volunteering their time.

    Not happy with the above options? Are you a combat vet (like myself) that doesn't want to talk to the same support network that the MOS's that stayed in the FOB/COB/whatever did? I've got you too.

    Call: +18669661020

    That'll put you in touch with someone better... experienced with what might be bothering you.

    Don't want to call anyone- I've still got your six, just go to: https://health.mil/Military-Health-...h-Center-of-Excellence/Real-Warriors-Campaign

    That link will let you IM someone from the combat arm world so at least you'd be talking with someone that understands where you're coming from.

    I'll post more links as I find them- dollars to doughnuts, this is going to be a rough week for our vets.

    -LD
     
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    #6
    n2ishun said:
    You extended car warranty guys sure go to some extreme measures.
    Click to expand...

    You realize 22 veterans a day commit suicide, 1 is too many. They fight the demons every day and some days they lose the fight.

    Be thankful they served to protect your right to say/post asinine shit.

    I can't imagine the pressure, but I am thankful there are places, organizations and people willing to extend a hand to try to ease their pain.
     
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    #7
    Darryle said:
    You realize 22 veterans a day commit suicide, 1 is too many. They fight the demons every day and some days they lose the fight.

    Be thankful they served to protect your right to say/post asinine shit.

    I can't imagine the pressure, but I am thankful there are places, organizations and people willing to extend a hand to try to ease their pain.
    Click to expand...
    Its actually way beyond 22 now. That number was derived about 15 years ago. I've heard that it's currently more than double that number.
     
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    #8
    Darryle said:
    You realize 22 veterans a day commit suicide, 1 is too many. They fight the demons every day and some days they lose the fight.

    Be thankful they served to protect your right to say/post asinine shit.

    I can't imagine the pressure, but I am thankful there are places, organizations and people willing to extend a hand to try to ease their pain.
    Click to expand...
    100% correct. That's why I'm trying to make an effort to get the resources available out there because this is particularly going to be a hard week for some of 'em. Spoiler alert- I had to use at least one of the resources I posted and I'm not embarrassed to share that. Sometimes we just need a little bit of help and knowing that you'll be talking to someone who's been there/done that makes the call/text (I went with text personally) quite a bit easier.

    It can get better, there's a huge network of support out there for Vets but they have to get off their ass and ask. It's the Pit so prove me wrong, tell me how fucked up they are & I'll listen.

    -LD
     
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    #9
    Hecouldgoalltheway said:
    Its actually way beyond 22 now. That number was derived about 15 years ago. I've heard that it's currently more than double that number.
    Click to expand...
    So I got banned this morning from another forum for posting the exact same information I shared here. I'm trying to get ahold of their staff (because frankly I find it beyond ridiculous),but at this point I'm rambling.

    You raise a good point though and honestly it jives with this thread. I've seen a thing or two while deployed but I'm beyond exhausted going to another funeral with a friend that went a different way after coming home.

    There are resources available and I'll pound this drum until the cows come home and I don't care what anyone thinks about it. I've been to too many funerals, I've seen too much, and dammit I even had to tap into the resources I posted so yeah- I kinda know what I'm talking about here.

    Don't believe me- then call, IM, or text and prove me wrong.

    -LD
     
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    #10
    LuckyDuck said:
    So I got banned this morning from another forum for posting the exact same information I shared here. I'm trying to get ahold of their staff (because frankly I find it beyond ridiculous),but at this point I'm rambling.

    You raise a good point though and honestly it jives with this thread. I've seen a thing or two while deployed but I'm beyond exhausted going to another funeral with a friend that went a different way after coming home.

    There are resources available and I'll pound this drum until the cows come home and I don't care what anyone thinks about it. I've been to too many funerals, I've seen too much, and dammit I even had to tap into the resources I posted so yeah- I kinda know what I'm talking about here.

    Don't believe me- then call, IM, or text and prove me wrong.

    -LD
    Click to expand...
    Was it on LRH?
     
    #12
    Maybe
    Darryle said:
    Be thankful they served to protect your right to say/post asinine shit.
    Click to expand...
    Since we are calling a spade and spade.......did they? Is that what they all fought and died for?

    Providing info for anyone to get help is great, but lets stop pretending why young kids are damaged......it was not for "freedom"! All of us would be just a free to say asinine shit today, if we never went to play in the sand.
     
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    #13
    Bullfrog08 said:
    Maybe

    Since we are calling a spade and spade.......did they? Is that what they all fought and died for?

    Providing info for anyone to get help is great, but lets stop pretending why young kids are damaged......it was not for "freedom"! All of us would be just a free to say asinine shit today, if we never went to play in the sand.
    Click to expand...
    I'd advise that you tread lightly after that post. I was there and while you do bring up some truth bombs but I assure you that you're going to rub some people the wrong way, even in the worst way. That said- I'll say this much, we fought, bled, and also died for each other. Why? Hell if I know. But even today (in 2024) it blows my mind that in 2008 with us owning the Iraq oil fields, we were still paying $4 a gallon.

    If you want to debate why we ever got into the hellhole called Iraq- fly your flag man, you won't hurt my feelings but please start your own thread on the subject and don't shit on this one is all I'd ask. Seriously- this thread is only about folks that were there and may be fighting some internal demons which are boiling up this week in particular and trying to link them up with some help. Surely that must sound reasonable to you right?

    -LD
     
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    #14
    Hecouldgoalltheway said:
    Its actually way beyond 22 now. That number was derived about 15 years ago. I've heard that it's currently more than double that number.
    Click to expand...

    It could be, honestly I don't know, I just use the information shared by Til Valhalla project. I work with plenty of veterans and I have seen some struggle.

    I just know my wife watched her best friend die in the lead vehicle of a convoy disintegrate to an IED. I watched her struggle every damn day, watched her blame herself everyday because she let him persuade her to switch vehicles on the way back, she was just a kid when deployed, they don't prepare anyone to deal with that.

    LD, reach out if you ever need an ear
     
    Last edited:
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    #17
    Darryle said:
    It could be, honestly I don't know, I just use the information shared by Til Valhalla project. I work with plenty of veterans and I have seen some struggle.

    LD, reach out if you ever need an ear
    Click to expand...
    1 a day is too many, that's almost 400 Vet's per year... That's 400 folks that did their job and actually made it home and only to swallow a bullet. Let's say it's over 20 a day, that's still over 7K a year (of Vet's that made it home!) If that's an underestimate by say 50% then we're over 3.5K vets offing themselves each and every year.

    There are resources/options out there guys, you made it home, act accordingly.

    -LD
     
    Last edited:
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    #18
    Darryle said:
    It could be, honestly I don't know, I just use the information shared by Til Valhalla project. I work with plenty of veterans and I have seen some struggle.

    I just know my wife watched her best friend die in the lead vehicle of a convoy disintegrate to an IED. I watched her struggle every damn day, watched her blame herself everyday because she let him persuade her to switch vehicles on the way back, she was just a kid when deployed, they don't prepare anyone to deal with that.

    LD, reach out if you ever need an ear
    Click to expand...
    I did- I used the exact same resources I posted and frankly, I'm glad that I did. I'm still trying/working to find the right solution but I got tired of attending funerals of friends that ate bullets. One day I decided that wasn't going to be me and I looked into what I shared here.
     
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    #20
    Darryle said:
    You realize 22 veterans a day commit suicide, 1 is too many. They fight the demons every day and some days they lose the fight.

    Be thankful they served to protect your right to say/post asinine shit.

    I can't imagine the pressure, but I am thankful there are places, organizations and people willing to extend a hand to try to ease their pain.
    Click to expand...
    What I realize is that any post asking for me to...

    FOLLOW THIS LINK

    CALL THIS NUMBER

    Etc

    Probably doesn't have my best interest in mind, or is made by someone that doesn't understand that it is now 2024....not 1950....and have a clue that there are bad actors at play.
    24-7-365

    [edit]
    I'm a Vet....so f'n what ?
    I've seen and done shit you can't even fathom.
    I'm absolutely certain that there are many more unstable people out there than you can possibly imagine.
    Comitting suicide means one thing....you are unstable.
    Prove me wrong.

    What I have to say about it ?
    Man the fuck up.
     
    Last edited:
    #24
    LuckyDuck said:
    If you're having a REALLY bad night, just dial 988 and hit option '1'.

    If you want to IM, I've got ya, go to: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat

    (Please don't let the 'crisis' moniker scare you off)- by all means you can shit talk the hell out of them but all that link will do is have you IM'ing a fellow Vet.

    If you say the hell with calling or web browsing and just want to text and shit post that way, I've got ya there too, just text '838255' . Please feel free to share your trolling of that option of a fellow Vet volunteering their time.

    Not happy with the above options? Are you a combat vet (like myself) that doesn't want to talk to the same support network that the MOS's that stayed in the FOB/COB/whatever did? I've got you too.

    Call: +18669661020

    That'll put you in touch with someone better... experienced with what might be bothering you.

    Don't want to call anyone- I've still got your six, just go to: https://health.mil/Military-Health-...h-Center-of-Excellence/Real-Warriors-Campaign

    That link will let you IM someone from the combat arm world so at least you'd be talking with someone that understands where you're coming from.

    I'll post more links as I find them- dollars to doughnuts, this is going to be a rough week for our vets.

    -LD
    Click to expand...
    Just want to confirm, these links are legit. We just had a service member that returned from a deployment in late September, where 2 of his Units pilots were killed in a helicopter crash and an enlisted Soldier was critically injured earlier this year, and decided to take his own life on Sunday. If these links and info are legit, I'd like to put them out to our Unit and hopefully offer them additional resources than the traditional ones that are put out by the military. Thanks in advance
     
    #25
    notacos4u said:
    Just want to confirm, these links are legit. We just had a service member that returned from a deployment in late September, where 2 of his Units pilots were killed in a helicopter crash and an enlisted Soldier was critically injured earlier this year, and decided to take his own life on Sunday. If these links and info are legit, I'd like to put them out to our Unit and hopefully offer them additional resources than the traditional ones that are put out by the military. Thanks in advance
    Click to expand...
    I'm truly sorry to hear that. But yes, the links provided are 100% legit.
     
    Last edited:
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    #28
    DeathBeforeDismount said:
    Add 2 more guys I served with who killed themselves in the last week. This shit just never seems to end .
    Click to expand...
    I really wish that I had more comforting words to share with you but all I can say that's honest is that I'm truly sorry to hear that. 2 battle buddies in the same week has got to be damned rough. And you're correct, this shit doesn't seem to end. I know that I'm a few days late in seeing your response here and I apologize for the delay in responding but wanted to make sure you knew that your post was seen/read/understood by someone.

    -LD
     
    #30
    Hide-

    This thread has unfortunately received some attention/recent experiences shared along the way on the topic just within the first week. Please allow me to share some more resources (web specific this go around)...

    The most in-depth one (one page shared previously), Veteran's Crisis Line (funded by the VA). This one has numerous resources to delve into should it be necessary and would be my #1 "go to".

    www.veteranscrisisline.net

    Veterans Crisis Line

    24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
    www.veteranscrisisline.net www.veteranscrisisline.net

    If you're after a more 'official/ looking URL... no problem, I can accommodate. The below link will have a 'va.gov' extension and works just as well. One opinion I'd like to voice though, if you're planning on sending it to any vets that you may be concerned about, the "mental health" terminology in the link might be a roadblock (although the 'crisis' term above probably will have the same reaction which is why I tried to give phone numbers initially last week).

    www.mentalhealth.va.gov

    VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

    Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
    www.mentalhealth.va.gov www.mentalhealth.va.gov


    So here's where I'll diverge from my previous posts and share some resources based off of some of the comments shared in the thread here on places to go for vets impacted by this particular topic. Full disclosure- this was the 'trap' I found myself falling into. I felt like I didn't need "help" because it was everyone else that was... I'll say participating in the afore mentioned things and I was doing ok enough and spent years saying after each occasion, "that's not going to be me". I had a whole ritual on what I'd do afterwards and everything. What I failed to realize over the years (personally) was the toll/scar each iteration left.

    So with that said- here's some resources I found that deals with that angle. Full disclosure though- I haven't personally used them, just wanted to share what I found and please feel free to screen them for their value and call either them/me/both of us out if you're smelling any shenanigans with them. I'll start with VA links directed to the topic but move onto other organizations here...

    Resources for Veterans Experiencing Grief or Loss

    No Veteran should have to experience grief or the loss of a loved one alone. VA Resources and support are available. Find the resources you need.
    www.va.gov www.va.gov

    www.militaryonesource.mil

    Military Grief Support & Resources | Military OneSource

    Access specialized grief support services for families of fallen service members on Military OneSource, providing compassionate assistance during times of loss.
    www.militaryonesource.mil www.militaryonesource.mil



    Grief & Bereavement - We Honor Veterans

    Grief Grief is the normal and natural response to the loss of someone or something important to you. It is a natural part of life. Grief is a typical reaction...
    www.wehonorveterans.org www.wehonorveterans.org

    www.veteran-warriors.org

    Survivor: Grief Resources | Website

    Veteran Survivor resources. Greif, bereavement counseling, burial benefits, survivor resources.
    www.veteran-warriors.org www.veteran-warriors.org

    One last comment to close out this post- there are also communities on Reddit that delve into these subjects as well. You're all adults and can do as you see fit but as an unsolicited word of advice, should one find themselves on there looking for help, please approach those threads with caution is all. No doubt there are good people trying to help there but Reddit also attracts certain folks that have ulterior motives.

    Anyway, I hope that this is helpful to at least one person.

    -LD
     
    #32
    DeathBeforeDismount said:
    Add 2 more guys I served with who killed themselves in the last week. This shit just never seems to end .
    Click to expand...
    @DeathBeforeDismount - Sorry to continue piggybacking on your comment here, I just want to get the word out is all.

    Here's some more resources I picked up when I asked one of the previously posted links for which ones to share with the applicable community.

    Suicide Prevention Shareable Materials – Veterans Crisis Line​

    You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference—support Veterans by sharing or using downloadable resources and information. www.veteranscrisisline.net

    https://www.taps.org/

    https://vets4warriors.com/
    I hope that they may be of some help to at least one person.

    -LD
     
    #33


    Hey fellas- I just came across this video/discussion and I think it very well might be the most perfect 'accessory' to my previous post here. You don't have to like Linkin Park's music and you don't have to have a high or positive opinion of Chester Bennington either.

    But if you have 5 minutes of time- I'd encourage you to check it out and listen to the brief discussion. It's just a short clip of a wildly successful guy talking about his mental health struggles casually when he was likely at one of his worst moments. Maybe this won't speak to you personally but dollars to doughnuts- I'd wager that for your 5 minute commitment just by listening to it- there's a good chance it'll make you think of someone in your own life that it reminds you of.

    If my suspicion is accurate- all I have left to say here is share a recommendation that you nonchalantly check-in with them before this week is over.

    -LD
     
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