#Veteran organizations say showing support for past and active #soldiers could help reduce the high number of #mentalhealthissues

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 Maddie McQueen

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – #MayisMentalHealthAwarenessmonth and Military Appreciation month, and the two have more in common than you may think. #Veterans organizations say more support for our servicemembers might help reduce an alarming #suicide rate.

In Kentucky, around 17 #veterans commit #suicide every day, according to Veteran’s Club INC.

“Oftentimes, I think as #Americans and just as people, we forget and take for granted the freedoms that we have but these, as you know, aren’t free and they do come with a cost,” says Jeremy Harrell, founder and CEO of Veteran’s Club INC. “For some, it’s their lives, and then for others, it’s their lives as well but it’s almost like a slow death because you know, they don’t leave the battlefield when they come home.”

Some veterans’ organizations say servicemembers both past and active can struggle with their #mentalhealth with things like #depression, #anxiety and #PTSD. For many, #mentalhealth still carries a stigma of being ‘weak’ and #veteran organizations say this #stigma, coupled with fear of medical discharge, can sometimes make it even harder for a #soldier to admit when they need help.

“You think if you go in the #military, you’re supposed to be tough and to say you’ve got #mentalhealthissues could show weakness in their mind,” says Phyllis Abbott, executive director of Lady #Veterans Connect.

#James Donaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

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From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

“The #stigma is real and we work every day to try to mitigate that because the worst thing is when you’re need help and you’re afraid to say it,” says Harrell. “We’ve got to make it OK.”

Some #veteran organizations say one good thing to come out of #COVID is more awareness and acceptance of #mentalhealth. These organizations say along with this acceptance should come appreciation for #soldiers, especially those from #Vietnam or #Afghanistan where some #veteran organizations say tension is still high between civilians and servicemembers.

“If you’re showing appreciation for your #veterans, they’re less likely to be depressed and have the #mentalissues. If you’re ignoring them and not saying ‘thank you for your service’, then they’re feeling neglected,” says Abbott.

Both Veteran’s Club INC. and Lady #Veterans Connect have resources available for #veterans to connect with support groups and find a community.

The Veteran’s Club INC. website can be found HERE.

Click HERE to be taken to the Lady Veterans’ Connect website.

Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com

To find a VA location near you, click HERE.
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