Veteran mental health support is critical

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - As Americans celebrate our veterans, many say it's not to only a time to say thank you but to end the stigma around the discussion of mental health and what our military families go through. 

According to veteran mental health expert Matthew ‘Whiz’ Buckley, 20 to 40 veterans die each day.

This is because most of those who serve have lots of difficulty adjusting back to civilian life.

Many talked to us Friday and told us combat life was difficult.

Watching your closest friends and allies perish before your eyes is something that cannot be unseen.

The transition may be even more challenging.

The hustle, combat mindset does not mix well with a typical lifestyle back in our world.

So, for this weekend, we are asked to not just acknowledge their previous service, but we are also called to check on their current well being.

"For me, I appreciate people saying, 'Hey, thanks for your service,' but if I could ask a favor of people, if you feel the need to say thank you for your service to a veteran, do me a favor and put a comma after that and ask three words, 'Are you good?' Right? You might just catch a veteran in a moment and they. And they might tell you no," Buckley said.

Buckley says many U.S. veterans are turning to psychedelic therapies after years of searching for effective treatments.

In fact, he says those therapies helped one of his friends recover from PTSD. 

Thankfully, there are local veteran groups that try to help these veterans find a purpose in their life.

One advocate told us they remind these veterans of their incredible life value and challenge them to find various other missions for their life.

You can find help HERE.