Stigma hinders some from getting help for PTSD

The stigma surrounding mental health has been especially difficult to fight in the military, where many service members think that they should handle these issues on their own and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Suicide has become an epidemic among veterans, and more than 20 end their lives each day.

A veteran is defined as anyone who has served in the armed forces and was discharged with anything other than a dishonorable discharge.

There are service officers in every county across Eastern Idaho whose job it is to assist veterans. Candi Rash, who works as a Bonneville County Veteran Service Officer at Help 4 Vets, said many vets don’t utilize the resources offered and paid for by the government.

Rash said if resources are not being used they eventually fade and government funding is cut. “When they’re not being used it actually hurt the programs as opposed to helping the programs.”

Some of the benefits Rash helps veterans receive are disability claims, VA HealthCare Enrollment, pension claims, emergency grants and support groups.

“Because we help veterans navigate through the maze of benefits, that sometimes veterans can get lost in. It’s very rewarding to see them get the help that they need,” Rash said.

“The people who are creating the programs do the best that they can with what they have. And if they don’t have proper feedback then they can only do so much. Veterans eventually become frustrated with the systems and instead of utilizing them we either suffer through symptoms, or Veterans find other ways to cope.” Rash said. Rash is also a veteran and said she understands the difficulties.

Rash said veterans will often turn to self-medicating including using alcohol and drugs to cope.

Jesse Williams who served in the Army for 10 years said he’s utilized many military services in the past. Williams suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“The VA Hospital in Palo Alto, California, I was there for six months going through rehab. I utilized several aspects of the VA. I’m getting ready to use their vocational rehabilitation program, for school and for my injuries.

Williams while on a tour in Iraq, had his Humvee rammed by a semi-truck in Southern Iraq. “I woke up a month later and I was missing 44 percent of my skull and about a third of my brain.” Williams had been in the military at that point for seven and a half years before having his accident. He’s had numerous surgeries.

Williams was deployed three different times to Iraq. He said transitioning to civilian life was hard for him. “With this last deployment getting injured. I received an honorable discharge but it wasn’t part of the plan,” he said.

Williams said the systems to help veterans are flawed. “There are a lot of resources that have great concepts but are poorly executed. It’s very frustrating.”

He recounts a time when he was feeling suicidal and he reached out for help. “I called the Veteran Crisis line and you are supposed to be able to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and talk to somebody when you’re at that point. Unfortunately, a lot of times it goes to voicemail. I was put through to somebody in India who read a script and hung up.”

Rash said a similar situation is being investigated.

“Within the VA either local or national, anything related to veterans there are things that need to be fixed. We want them to be fixed. Sometimes we don’t know what needs to be fixed until veterans tell us. So complaining is not a bad thing. We appreciate the feedback but at the same time being understanding and patient is helpful,” Rash said.

According to the Code of Federal Regulations individuals or businesses cannot charge veterans to help them file their claims or fill out applications. Anyone who does so may be prosecuted.

The Help 4 Vets office is located at Eastern Idaho Technical College in Building 5 entry 1, in rooms 515 and 516. It is by appointment only.

To schedule an appointment visit IFHelp4Vets@gmail.com.