"May 5, 2008 - Suicides among veterans of wars overseas occur "just like cancer occurs," and are not an indication of negligence by Veterans Affairs Department mental health care providers, a top VA official has argued in a lawsuit filed by two veterans groups. The official said he does not know how well VA hospitals are complying with a directive to provide 24-hour referrals to veterans with mental health problems."

The above statements are stupid and irresponsible. When people have cancer  they are directed to some form of treatment. Suicide should be treated  with  the same regard..  This is not something to be taken lightly, unfortunately mental health resources can be scarce because Bush's cut backs on programs. I receive mental health care and treatment being a daughter of a vet. What might help   if vets or troops cannot get  immediate help through the VA,and have to wait too long, is to look into state resources and mental health care, often there is no cost if you can't afford to pay or it is based on a sliding scale  or you are insured under the state. Here is a locator of services in each state. http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/default.asp

http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/mi-and-the-family/finding-the-right-mental-health-care-for-you 

http://www.veteransfamiliesunited.org/how_to_get_help.html

other resources you might  want to look into:

http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/VA-ISSUES.html

www.nchv.org/docs/Assist%20Guide.10.pdf

http://www.nchv.org/page.cfm?id=182

http://donnelly.house.gov/list/speech/in02_donnelly/morenews/043007CQWeeklyStory.shtml

http://swords-to-plowshares.org/programs-services/

http://www.operationhomefront.net/services.asp

http://www.findlaw.com/14firms/legalaid.html

http://www.smartrecovery.org/resources/urgenthelp.htm

 Are the other ways our troops can get help if they are not finding it  through the VA?What about applying for social security benefits(Disability) I don't know how that would work for troops, Go through DHS and find help, if homeless DHS- Department of human services  can provide food stamps and other services like medicaid and referrals .There are other government resources that provide training for a job , help with housing for low income , help for homeless people.  So I'm just suggesting that our troops may have to look down other avenues. I don't know if any of this will help but I hope by providing some additional resouces, this will give some information that people can use when they are in a crisis and cannot find the help they need.

I'd like to add I am a search and research hound, often in the past I have helped people with referrals and won't give up until I find something for them. Often I find multiple resources knowing they can't jsut rely  one  referral. I've even called agencies and asked  for information. I did do that for one friend who was disabled, and needed help because she did not  have  air conditioner and was suseptible to heat because of diabetes .I made so many calls and inquiries I thought I would never find anything, but I did ,and she got her air conditioner.

I would also advise our troops and vets to be doggedly determined as well, don't give up because of the roadblocks in your way, if you need legal help often there is free legal help and assistance available,(I  guess it varies according to each state) Bush of couese has cut into funding for many domestic services to fund his war,  and I have experienced this personally. Bush seems to not be in touch with reality ,he lives in his own dream world where he is the so-called  "protector" of our people. While he promised to defend and protect the constitution he has done the opposite. We cannot afford to play by his rules anymore, it is costing the American people too much, including our troops and vets.

Also as I  find more information or resources I will continue to update this post and add to the resources I find. I've also written   my congressmen and presidential candidates to help support our troops.

What so shocks me, is that troops who are suffering from PTSD and other mental disorders, injuries to the brain or even physical injuries are still being sent back to Iraq over and over again. How can these people survive under these obstacles. It is unconscionable to me that this should happen , and those culpable need to be brought to justice and they need to have congressioanl hearings  on this. It speaks more and more to me just how incompetent our current adminstration is, and that is an understandment. To me this something  akin to telling a severely depressed teen  to "jump" (off the cliff) It exacerbates the already compounded problems our troops are dealing with. People would sue a doctor for malpractice if he did something to harm or injure  or willfully  neglected his patient, perhaps we need  a lawsuit against our government for "malpractice" and negligence  and   abuse,  in aiding to the further injury  and harm of our troops.