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WORLD / Health

Suicide risk said higher for US veterans

(AP)
Updated: 2007-05-11 11:35

WASHINGTON - Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are at
increased risk of suicide because not all Veterans Affairs health clinics
have 24-hour mental care available, an internal review says.

A view of the main entrance to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in
Washington in this February 9, 2007 file photo. [Reuters]

The report released Thursday by the department's inspector general is the
first comprehensive look at VA mental health care, particularly suicide
prevention.

It found that nearly three years into the VA's broad strategy for mental
health care, services were inconsistent throughout the agency's 1,400
clinics.

Several facilities lacked 24-hour staff, adequate screening for mental
problems or properly trained workers.

With about one-third of veterans reporting symptoms of post-traumatic
stress disorder, it is "incumbent upon VHA (the Veterans Health
Administration) to continue moving forward toward full deployment of
suicide prevention strategies for our nation's veterans," the report
stated.

In a written response, the VA's acting undersecretary for health agreed
with many of the recommendations. Michael Kussman noted that the VA
recently has placed suicide prevention coordinators in each medical
center.

The report comes as already-strained troops and veterans say they are
suffering more psychological problems due to repeated and extended
deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In a study this month, a Pentagon
task force issued an urgent warning for improved care.

In the inspector general report, investigators echoed some of those
concerns in calling for additional staffing and better training in VA
facilities. It said about 1,000 veterans who receive VA care commit
suicide every year and as many as 5,000 a year among all living veterans.

The report, which was requested last year by Rep. Michael Michaud ,
D-Maine, said clinics should work harder so veterans can seek treatment
with feeling stigmatized. It recommended additional screening for
patients with traumatic brain injury.

Among the other recommendations:

VA clinics and Pentagon military hospitals must better share health
information, particularly for patients who might return to active-duty
status.

The department should ease criteria for inpatient post-traumatic stress
disorder. Currently only veterans with "sustained sobriety" get
treatment; this bars help for many who report increased drug and alcohol
dependency as ways to alleviate stress.

The VA should create a database to help track patients at risk for
suicide.

The report follows high-profile suicide incidents in which families of
veterans say the VA did not do enough to provide care. In one case, the
family of Marine Jonathan Schulze said he told staff at a VA Medical
Center in Minnesota twice that he was suicidal in the days before he
hanged himself Jan. 16, but that he was turned away. The VA has said that
was not the case.

Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America, said he hoped the VA would place a high priority on suicide
prevention given the thousands of veterans suffering from psychological
wounds.

"We can not afford to nickel and dime our nations heroes," he said. "If
we do, we'll be paying for it for a generation."

Sen. Patty Murray , a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee,
said the report pointed to a lack of planning by the department.

"It is far past time for the administration to get its act together and
treat invisible wounds with the same vigilance that is given to physical
injuries," said Murray, D-Wash.

Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka , who chairs the Senate commitee, said the
review showed a greater need for accountability in VA care. "I will
continue oversight and work to ensure that VAs mental health
professionals have the resources they need," he said.

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