Released from inpatient psychiatric care at the Hines VA for PTSD suicidal ideation.

I was recently released from an extended mental hospital stay. Overall positive things occurred while I was an inpatient at the Hines VA facility but the experience was uncomfortable overall. Towards the end of the stay I did summarize with the outlook that they quite simply treated me like a mental health patient because I quite frankly was one. Reasons for psychiatric inpatient care at the veterans hospital I had severe depression along with PTSD that was leading to allot of suicidal thinking. I shared all of this with my psychiatrist and did sign myself in willingly. I wanted to feel safe and to have my medicine adjusted. I was directly admitted by my psychiatrist, bypassing the whole waiting process. This got me right into the emergency room where my vitals were monitored along with an EKG that was administered. I was given Ativan and a turkey sandwich. I was told it would be about an hour. My belongings were very carefully inventoried. Blood was drawn and a urine sample was given. I calmly waited to be admitted.

This was not my first time at the show so I wasn't too nervous.

I walked through the double locked and double door entry hall way and was greated by an unfriendly black man who took my vitals. I was given a room and some basic essentials as my things were locked up in a storage area for patient belongings. I was a little worried about my phone, tablet, wallet or cash being stolen by fortunately this did not happen to me. I sat in my room with another veteran who shared the small drab dorm like room. This guy had been in for just a few days and proudly proclaimed that he was getting the fuck out of there quick and never coming back to the Veterans Affairs for healthcare again. I took this with a grain of salt. I didn't want to get too worked up about what might or might not happen while I was in the VA for psychiatric reasons. My treatment goals were to change medications, specifically my anti depressant medication. I had been taking lexapro daily for one year and the medication kind of pooped out on me despite efforts to max out the dosage. I had to tackle the suicidal ideation and I wanted to inquire about using a service dog for my condition, PTSD. Visit my service dog website at: Please Visit Military PTSD Service Dog Website Here More coming soon!

Veterans die every 80 minutes from suicide.

In an alarming report, the VA has determined that veterans are dying in large numbers daily due to suicide. Despite the Veteran's Administration's best efforts to combat suicide in veterans, it seems that they are losing the fight in suicide prevention. Currently there are increased mental health services available to veterans but this suicide rate may raise the question as to whether these services are helpful enough to the veterans that they serve.


Veterans have traditionally had higher rates of suicide than their non military serving counterparts. Clearly, the recent wars have impacted these figures as many veterans are returning from war scarred physically and mentally by the combat experience that they had. It is estimated by many studies that the PTSD rate may be as high as 30% in veterans of the wars in the Middle East.

If you are a veteran and you are going through an emotional crisis. Please try the VA's hotline for help.

1-800-273-8255(TALK)

A discussion of the unique problems veterans face in finding jobs and keeping jobs.

Many Americans are currently unemployed due to struggling through this current recession. Unemployment seems to be around ten percent or higher for most areas of the country. However, amongst the veteran minority, unemployment is higher. It is difficult to speculate what causes a difference between veteran employment rates and civilian employment rates. Because I am a veteran I believe I have some inside knowledge as to why veterans are struggling to find and keep jobs in America.


Veterans face a unique set of challenges compared to their civilian counterparts. These challenges are the direct result of the veteran experience. Service to this nation has left some veterans with different social, medical, and psychological difficulties. With wars still ungoing, veterans will continue to struggle with issues such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder),TBI (traumatic brain injury), substance abuse problems and wide range of serious physical maladies ranging from amputation, paralysis, and various forms of cancers.

The veterans that are struggling with these problems today share the same fight as their fathers and grandfathers. Take for example...my grandfather. He served with the Air Force in World War II as a navigator. Grandpa flew in B-24 heavy bombing aircraft over Germany during the close of World War II. He had a very difficult experience while serving his country. Grandpa was shot from the skies at least three times and survived multiple crash landings and was captured by the German Nazis.
My grandfather survived all of this but ten years ago he was diagnosed with cancer and the doctor strongly felt that his cancer was related to his military experience.

I also struggled with my own medical problems. I am still suffering from PTSD and a mild traumatic brain injury. For years I was chronically unemployed and in all senses of the word...I was “lost” for years. It was at times unthinkable to work and maintain employment when every morning I was struggling just to keep myself alive. Suicidal ideation was a terrible problem for me.  In the mornings I would have to convince myself that I had to stay alive and not kill myself.

I only say these things because I know that I am not alone. I know that things will get better because they slowly have. Even though I continue to struggle with employment, depression and financial trouble, I feel that time has been a great healer. With each passing day I will get stronger just as other veterans will gain strength, find jobs and lead stable productive lives despite these unique challenges that each of us face.