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Thank you for the first intelligent post on this thread.

In the last 2 years the VA has begun serious, intense initiatives to deal with suicidal ideation, attempts and with those factors that may indicate a higher possibility of suicide. There are now VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators in every part of the country whose only job is to train VA employees (professional and non professionals, as well as mental health and primary care providers in the community) to identify those veterans who may be more at risk. These Suicide Prevention Coordinators also work with a National Suicide Htoline for Veterans taking referrals ( as well as referrals from VA mental health and primary care professionals ) to track veterans at risk, to call them to assist their getting help and to make sure that if there are any factors ( ie missed appointments) that crop up, interventions can be followed up.

There is no way to prevent someone from committing suicide if they are determined to do that. We do not “lock people up” in psychiatric hospitals forever just because they have had depression or suicidal thoughts.

The VA is very committed to doing everyhting they can to help veterans. As for those Freeprs who know nothing about mental health, medical care or the VA and say “ lets let vets get private “better” care....HA>HA>HA!!! “ The VA across the board offers WAY better medical and psychiatric care...try to get a 45 minute follow up visit with a private psychiatrist. Or how about a 90 DAY substance RESIDENTIAL abuse program? In the private sector you MAY get 28 days with the very very best insurance.

Some of these comments remind me of the Liberal who just wrote a VA bashing book where she said, “Oh, we know what’s wrong, its soooo simple, ANYONE could solve the problem in 4 hours.!”