By Reyna Crooms

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - For many veterans, the fight for true freedom continues well after they leave the front lines. Thousands of vets are dealing with thoughts of suicide, however, there are resources available to help.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, over 20 veterans every day die by suicide. People who deal with the issue firsthand say it is much worse than many people think.

#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/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

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“We have lots of help for veterans, and lots of veterans who take advantage of that help but the suicide crisis continues,” said Tony Vivaldi, founder of Save a Vet Now.

Save a Vet Now is a Wilmington-based organization that helps veterans build community and connects vets with counseling services.

“It would be nice if we could equalize our feelings about physical problems vs. mental health problems. If we could embrace a person going through a mental health issue the same way we embrace someone who is going through cancer,” said Vivaldi.

Vivaldi noted ending the stigma associated with mental illness is a good start toward helping veterans.

“Be open about it, talk about it, educate ourselves about it, then more and more would come out and take advantage of the help that’s there,” Vivaldi added.

Many veterans suffer in silence and it’s hard to know an issue exists in the first place. Vivaldi says a community effort toward changing the conversations centered around mental health can make a big difference.

“There are so many veterans who don’t want us to know that there’s something wrong. They go about it alone they keep it to themselves they travel down a very dark path until something bad happens,” said Vivaldi.

According to Stop Solider Suicide, veterans are at a 72% higher risk of suicide when compared to people who haven’t served. Veteran suicide is also the second leading cause of death for veterans since 9/11.

Steve Rice with Stop Soldier Suicide has a personal connection to the issue of veteran suicide.

“When a veteran dies by suicide it affects more than 100 lives, friends, family, buddies, pals,” said Rice.

Stop Solider Suicide offers no-cost confidential consulting for veterans or active-duty military members. Rice noted that when a veteran returns from service finding a community with other veterans is important.

“At the end of the day, they need help when they get home. The government today does not do that,” said Rice.

Rice wants veterans to know the battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) is not one that needs to be fought alone. Treatments and counseling services are available for veterans in need.

“It won’t go away by itself, the pain of PTSD, the suffering of PTSD. The ask is that the community help us create awareness, support those who have supported us, and support those who have risked it all to save our lives and keep the freedom that we have here in the United States,” said Rice. “We need to put our arms around veterans. We need to widen the conversation and help those who have helped us the most,” he added. https://standingabovethecrowd.com/james-donaldson-on-mental-health-this-problem-continues-to-get-worse-helping-veterans-dealing-with-thoughts-of-suicide/