Suicide Awareness 2021

Dear Warriors,

As the recent events in the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan continue to develop, we must pause and reflect on the impact this has on our brother and sister veterans.  Many feel despair at this time, worry over the local people and interpreters left behind and still in-country, and more importantly, a sense of deep disappointment that the results did not seem to match up to the countless sacrifices our brave military men and women have made. While these are just a few examples of emotions that are completely normal and expected, The Department of Tennessee Veterans of Foreign Wars is committed to ensuring no VFW member feels alone during this or any other struggle.  This is a critical time where each member can play a part in reaching out to their fellow veterans, and especially those that are struggling to ensure they have the resources and knowledge to assist them in their time of need.  We must ensure that those veterans know that their efforts and sacrifices were not in vain and that they served their county with distinction and honor.  Tennessee is a state that is profoundly proud of its military members, their military heritage, and the sacrifices made on behalf of all Americans and the VFW wants you to know that you are a top priority.

Know when and how to get the assistance you need, when you need it. If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, loneliness, despair, or you just need to vent or talk with someone contact the Tennessee crisis line at 1-800-274-7471. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   You may also call the Veteran’s Crisis Line at1-800-271-8255.

What is Frequent Mental Distress?  (Tennessee Health Department) Frequent mental distress is measured by the percentage of adults who reported that their mental health was not good or poor for 14 or more days during the past 30 days. These data are gathered from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).

In 2017, 13.7% of Tennessee adults self-reported frequent mental distress. In the past three years, this percentage has shown little to no change in the state. However, studies have indicated that only 17% of Americans experience optimal mental health.

On the BRFSS, Respondents are asked to rate their overall health and to report the number of days in the past month that they experienced poor physical health, poor mental health, or were unable to participate in their usual activities. These self-reported metrics are linked to stress, depression, anxiety, and difficulty coping with emotions, as well as chronic health conditions, health care utilization, and mortality risk.

Mental health is essential to physical health, personal well-being, interpersonal relations, and one’s ability to contribute to a community or society. The burden of mental illness in the United States is among the highest of all diseases, and mental disorders are among the most common causes of disability.  Approximately one in five adults will experience a mental illness over the course of a year, with depression being the most common type of mental illness.

Poor mental health is correlated with poor sleep habits, poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, self-harm, and a lack of physical activity. Mental health disorders are also associated with the prevalence, progression, and outcome of some of today’s most pressing chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Prolonged mental distress can disable an individual and result in substantial social and economic cost−not only for people living with the distress, but also for their families, schools, workplaces, and communities. Nationally, mental illness contributes $193.3 billion in lost earnings per year.

Additionally, poor mental health is linked to “diseases of despair” which can lead to suicides, drug overdoses, and liver disease as a result of alcohol abuse. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 10-34.

If you find yourself or someone you know in Frequent Mental Distress, please seek mental health support or talk to your primary care provider. Don’t know how to go about getting help or having trouble getting seen? Please visit your local VFW or Veteran Service Officer. The Department of Tennessee VFW Chaplain Andrew Farrar and Surgeon Fred Kasper is also available to assist at any time.  Together we can make a difference in the quality of life for our comrades.

Let’s Roll,

Brian Walker

Commander, Department of Tennessee

www.vfwtn.org

Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban.

You are not alone.

Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. Scroll down for a list common reactions and coping advice.

Resources available right now

Common Reactions

In reaction to current events in Afghanistan, Veterans may:

  • Feel frustrated, sad, helpless, grief or distressed
  • Feel angry or betrayed
  • Experience an increase in mental health symptoms like symptoms of PTSD or depression
  • Sleep poorly, drink more or use more drugs
  • Try to avoid all reminders or media or shy away from social situations
  • Have more military and homecoming memories

Veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service.

Veterans may feel like they need to expect and/or prepare for the worst. For example, they may:

  • Become overly protective, vigilant, and guarded
  • Become preoccupied by danger
  • Feel a need to avoid being shocked by, or unprepared for, what may happen in the future

Feeling distress is a normal reaction to negative events, especially ones that feel personal. It can be helpful to let yourself feel those feelings rather than try to avoid them. Often, these feelings will naturally run their course. If they continue without easing up or if you feel overwhelmed by them, the suggestions below can be helpful.

Strategies for Managing Ongoing Distress

At this moment, it may seem like all is lost, like your service or your sacrifices were for nothing. Consider the ways that your service made a difference, the impact it had on others’ lives or on your own life. Remember that now is just one moment in time and that things will continue to change.

It can be helpful to focus on the present and to engage in the activities that are most meaningful and valuable to you. Is there something you can do today that is important to you?  This can be as an individual, a family member, a parent, or a community member. Something that is meaningful to you in regard to your work or your spirituality? Such activities won’t change the past or the things you can’t control, but they can help life feel meaningful and reduce distress, despite the things you cannot change.

It can also help to consider your thinking. Ask yourself if your thoughts are helpful to you right now. Are there ways you can change your thinking to be more accurate and less distressing? For example, are you using extreme thinking where you see the situation as all bad or all good?  If so, try and think in less extreme terms. For example, rather than thinking “my service in Afghanistan was useless” consider instead “I helped keep Afghanistan safe.”

Finally, consider more general coping strategies that you may want to try including:

  • Engage in Positive Activities. Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don’t feel like it, can make you feel better.
  • Stay Connected. Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through.
  • Practice Good Self Care. Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions.
  • Stick to Your Routines. It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities.
  • Limit Media Exposure. Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress.
  • Use a mobile app. Consider one of VA’s self-help apps (see https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/) such as PTSD Coach which has tools that can help you deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
  • PTSD Coach Online. A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing.

If you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges, a greater sense of meaning or purpose, and an ability to mentor and support others in similar situations.

AFghanistan

Afghanistan: How Veterans can reconcile service

READ MORE

VetCenter

Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans

READ MORE 

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Need to contact VA?

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255
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The VFW is always looking for vets in need. If you, or a vet you know need assistance in any way, please contact the Tellico Village VFW at (865) 408-8061.

 

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Summary of our 2021 Suicide prevention campaign

Tellico Village VFW Post 12135 is trying to impact a growing mental health problem

Suicide rates are highest amongst veterans, teens and the elderly, but the reality is a large part of our society feels the pain of suicide loss in some manner.  1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. VFW Post 12135, located in Tellico Village TN, has always strived to bring attention to this mental health problem within our community. In prior years, the Post displayed 100 flags and signs during the September National Suicide Awareness Month in a central community space. While this helped to bring attention to the problem, it fell short of offering real solutions. Ed Frandle, the Post’s Suicide Awareness Project Leader, realized we needed to do something additional to try and bring awareness and make difference in this National Health issue.  He and his team took the lead to develop a community-wide program to educate the community.   

            In September 2021, the Tellico Village VFW Post 12135 made a committed effort toward making a difference by facilitating a free community program that offered awareness and prevention techniques through a professional education and training forum.  The VFW Post partnered with five Community Organizations who brought their own perspectives identifying the warning signs of those at risk and how to offer them help. The participating organizations who gave of their own free time to “help us help others” are: 

  • Knoxville Veteran Affairs Suicide Prevention Outreach Program
  • Loudon County Veteran Service Officer (VSO)
  • Stephen Ministry, Survivors of Suicide Loss support group
  • First Responders from the Tellico Village Fire and Rescue Department
  • Tellico Village Retired Registered Nurse Group

            Post Commander Shawn Tallant opened the program with a sincere – THANK YOU – to each and every one present!!  He voiced that “By being here today you’ve made a conscious decision to “become part of the solution” on what is often a difficult subject to speak openly about, let alone figure out how to make a difference!”. Commander Tallant went on to say; “Our purpose and goal is simple – when we walk out of this hall today, each one of us should be more aware of the issue, understand and recognize some of the suicide risk factors, and be armed with tools to help a person at risk – or at least a 1-800 number to point a person toward!”

The program commenced with a dynamic and detailed presentation from the Knoxville Veteran Affairs Suicide Prevention Outreach Program. Due to last minute government COVID restrictions, the VA Outreach team could not present their program in person. However, Dr. Autumn Lowry went out of her way to record and provide a 50-minute program, which illustrated their Community Engagement and S.A.V.E. training. The information and statistics provided presented a stark picture to this national problem and offered many key points in identifying Veterans at risk, asking the right questions and ways to steer them to the right agencies to get rapid and targeted help.

Next Jay Zimmerman, the Community Outreach Specialist at the VA Medical Center, shared a video created by the Overwatch Project of his experience as an Army medic when he was attacked by an insurgent, while rendering aid to an injured soldier. He was saved by his good friend Vic; however once state-side, Vic ultimately took his own life. Zimmerman states that Vic was one of the strongest Men he ever knew and any signs of suicide was totally missed. In the video, he goes on to talk about the importance of intervention between veterans, of having each other’s back and accountability in securing each other’s safety.


Jay Zimmerman, the Community Outreach Specialist at the VA Medical Center, shares a video created by the Overwatch Project of his experience as an Army medic

Another VA speaker was Mr. Ron Hutson, Loudon County Veterans Service Officer. Mr. Hutson, a USMC Vietnam Veteran, shared personal experiences he had in dealing with suicide. He also presented the County VA QPR program. QPR is the acronym for Question, Persuade, and Refer which details steps in awareness and prevention when the risk of suicide becomes evident.

The final speaker of the evening was Dr. Kristina Thiagarajan, Ph.D, M.N., R.N.

“Those who commit suicide are not the only victims. Suicide impacts 135 loved ones, left behind, to live a lifetime of pain and suffering.”. Dr. Thiagarajan started a support group called “Survivors of Suicide Loss” following the death of her own teenage son and the daughter of a close friend in 2019. The need for support during the grieving process is extremely important, especially in this age group. This group, along with the Stevens Ministry, helps to fill this need. Dr. Thiagarajan stated that the problem is epidemic, or specifically “contagion” as they’ve had 7 teen suicides in their local high school in a 2-year span, which defines a suicide “cluster” and community involvement is extremely crucial in order to bring things back to order. She delivered a powerful and personal message and encouraged us, as a community, to continue shedding light on this mental health problem.

Commander Tallant closed the event by thanking all the Community partners and presenters, as well as the 65 people in attendance. He said; “We hope each of you have gained more awareness into the problem of suicide in our community.  And, you are walking out of today’s program armed with a few of the key risk indicators and have access to some of the tools and organizations standing by to assist those in need!”. He informed the audience that for the Veterans and Members of Tellico Village VFW Post 12135, this effort to make a difference in suicide prevention – Is Not Over.  Today’s program is not a one and done event.  We hope to receive feedback from all of you and come back in the spring with another event building upon this one.  Please reach out to us if you hear or see something on this subject that could assist us in our effort to make a difference, to educate and better position each of us to “help a person off the ledge!“