Veteran advocacy groups are intensifying efforts to address the pressing issue of veteran suicides, focusing on systemic problems within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health care system.
The recent death of a veteran, Ramos, in front of a VA hospital has galvanized the community to raise awareness and push for change.
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Will Wisner, executive director of the Grunt Foundation, emphasized that the initiative is not an attack on the VA but a call to address broader systemic issues.
“We believe that there’s a direct connection to this issue and how we go about our health care through our health care systems,” Wisner said. He highlighted prescription pills as a significant factor in veteran suicides, noting the side effects of psychotropic medications prescribed to vulnerable veterans.
RELATED: Family of Marine veteran Enrique Ramos Jr. calls for VA reform after his death
The groups are advocating for more training for those prescribing these drugs and better-informed consent for veterans. Steven Price from Voices for Veterans expressed frustration over the need for multiple deaths to prompt change.
“They’ll do it right in front of the VA hospital, in the parking lot, in the people’s face, to get the attention. So I would hope that this brings attention not only to San Antonio, but the rest of the nation,” Price said.
Wisner stressed the importance of identifying the root causes of the issue before resorting to medication. The veteran community hopes that recent events will mark the beginning of meaningful reforms to provide veterans with the help they need.