Group demands mental health funding for soldiers
Army suicides hit a 26-year high
5:27 p.m. Thursday, August 30, 2007
"I was sent out for depression and assorted mental problems,” said David Watchous, an Iraq war veteran, explaining why he was forced to return home before the rest of his unit.
"I don't want to get into too much detail but I had a breakdown one day,” he said.
So, Watchous spoke to his captain, and got the help he needed, but not everyone does.
“I knew a guy that came back from Iraq with the unit. And he wound up hanging himself,” Watchous told 49 News Thursday afternoon. “He didn't see any other way out."
It’s happening more and more often.
The Bill's Future
Congress reconvenes in September and soon after Senators are expected to vote on the “Labor Health and Human Services Education Appropriations Bill.” That bill includes $3.4 billion for substance abuse and mental health service administration, which will provides mental health and suicide prevention services. The bill also includes $220 million for the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment Training program to help returning veterans find good paying jobs, as well as $23.6 million dollars for the homeless veterans program.
A new Army Suicide Report shows last year 99 soldiers killed themselves, 27 while stationed in Iraq. Three were in Afghanistan. There were another 948 serious attempts.
99 suicides is a 26 year high, up from 2005 when there were 87 Army suicides, and 2004 with 67.
That's why Watchous and a group of veterans are asking Congress to pass the "Labor Health and Human Services Education Appropriations Bill."
“That's just a fancy Washington name for what the bill actually does,” Watchous stated from the podium,at a press conference to bring attention to the issue.
The bill would fill the gap and fund mental health services that soldiers don't get through the VA.
Watchous says he got help because he spoke out, but a lot of soldiers don't.
“I know my unit's a small town community, farm boys, suck it up and drive on,” he explained.
He wants soldiers to have options and to know they don't have to deal with the trauma of war alone.
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