Vet63 published a compelling diary in which he describes a friend of his who is an older Veteran still suffering from the psychological pain inflicted during the War in Viet Nam.
Over the last 3 decades I lost count of the number of Veterans I've encountered who had PTSD. Usually I had no prior contact. Sometimes a family member or friend would contact me through a mutual friend. A couple of times I met the Veteran in a store, a restaurant, a bar, or at an airport. The Veterans Administration Hospitals to which I've taken these Veterans include Jesse Brown and Hines in Chicago, The Madison VA Hospital in Wisconsin, The Iowa City VA Hospital in Iowa, The Westside Los Angeles VA Hospital in California, and the Portland VA Hospital in Oregon.
As many of us who are Daily Kos Veterans or spouses of Veterans have stressed there are 153 VA medical centers (hospitals) and approaching 2,000 Community Based Out Patient Clinics. Emergency Mental Health is offered only at VA Hospitals. The VA covers WHERE to get help. This diary covers each step in HOW you can get Veterans help.
Many currently are being run like individual fiefdoms with their own rules and regulations - some of which conflict with laws governing their operation. When you are trying to help a Veteran in the middle of a mental health crisis ignore all that.
You have to deal with the reality you face to get the Veteran the care they need. The following has worked at all of those hospitals mentioned above.
To get immediate help for a Veteran fighting PTSD, call the following number:
1-800-273-8255 then press #1