Veteran suicide epidemic in US

There’s an epidemic facing America that is taking more lives than the war on terror, and that is veteran suicide.

Kris Paranto a retired US Army Ranger said, “I didn’t see it. You don’t really see it. You figure this is normal. I can handle it.”

20 to 25 veterans commit suicide in the US every day; meaning 1 out of every 5 suicides is a veteran.
Bob Skinner, a Vietnam Navy veteran knows the effects all too well as his long-time friend ended his life.

“Is there something I could have done? Should I have called him more? Should I have emailed him more? Should I have gone to see him?” Skinner said.
Soldiers losing brothers to post traumatic stress disorder.

“You have to at least talk to somebody about it. If not it’ll eat you alive from the inside,” Paranto said. “Guys commit suicide, but it’s not the outward suicide. It’s not over-dosing or shooting themselves. It’s getting on a motorcycle and going 120 miles per hour down the interstate.”

Soldiers unsure of where to turn need to know resources are available.

Dr. Aaron Harris, executive director of Behavioral Health Center, said, “As we understand what it is and become more understanding of our military members we challenge that stigma. We end up helping them feel that ok this is normal for someone who has gone through anything traumatic.”

“People that don’t understand or have never been through it, it’s good to have someone they can listen to you,” Paranto said. “You don’t have to do anything just recognize and be sincere about it.”

Even after some help, Skinner says images of war are still, to this day, hard to lose.

“Have you been back to Vietnam? With big tears streaming down his face he looked at the person and said ‘I go back every night’ So that’s tough,” Skinner said.

If you, or someone you love is suffering from PTSD you can find out more information here.