Vets needing help and friendship

[VaRandy]

Nothing upsets me more than hearing that 22 vets a day are taking their own lives. It is obvious to me that the Govt is not the solution for checking this, I am retired and have a lot of time to spare to help one or more for a fairly long term, One of them could live a block from me and off himself and I would likely never even hear of it or hear about it after the fact. What can be done on the Private side to try to put volunteers with needy vets in their geographical area first choice, and by phone or Skype if that is not possible? Seems everyone wants to be able to wash their hands if one of these matches failed so the problem is treated like a hot potato,

I'm sure the Govt would like to spend 10 years screening volunteers and giving them training in all Politically Correct issues, but Vets continue to leave us. We constantly hear that volunteers are needed for this and that, but it has not been used for Vets in immediate need, Would love a full blown discussion of what might be possible. It is depressing to NOT be able to help.

I know there will NOT be a Govt Agency to assist in this need.

 

[Redmanss]

Hook up with AMVets, Legion, VFW, or whatever other veteran organizations you may have in your area, they will have the best info for your locality. While anything is appreciated, some of the most vulnerable you're interested in assisting do require a moderate degree of knowledge in how to both get them assistance, and also how to deal with an imminent crisis if/when it arises. At least having this course under your belt can assist in that effort, the rest is knowing the connections with the assistance orgs listed above. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Careful with that number. It is more convaluted and complicated than the number 22. Example, suicide is like the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.

 

[Redmanss]

Careful with that number. It is more convaluted and complicated than the number 22. Example, suicide is like the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.

Very true, the "22" has been debated, debunked, reaffirmed, and back again a few times. Regardless, it's up there. Substance abuse, self medication, VA cocktails, senior abuse/neglect, etc., are very rampant and easily push that number of delayable/avoidable deaths up and beyond the 22 though. The hard nut to crack is getting them to come out into the open so they can get the help needed.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

True. The majority of these vets are over 50 as well. I mistakenly assumed on the surface that the most were under thirty. Bottom line it is a real problem.

 

[J!m]

When my dad was living out his last days in the VA hospital I realized that would be a great place to volunteer. We were visiting just about every week, moreso toward the end, but a lot of those guys got no visitors.

I say find the local VA and ask them. I know the guys would love to have some visitors.

 

[VaRandy]

I live very far from the urban areas that have hospitals and other organization, We should not have to be dependent on Govt to help these guys, If we could find them in our own areas, any help we could give them would be above what they were getting traditionally, not competition, If not oversold as offering anything but friendship, there should be no confusion. I am happily retired and the last thing I need is to deal with the Va or their ilk for ANY reason. I think that once more I find that common sense means nothing.