Iraq vet in Las Vegas needing help. (cross posted to GD too)

[uppityperson]

Does anyone know where to send a vet to in Las Vegas for help? Is not sleeping, having difficulties, says won't suicide because has spouse and child, went to VA to refill meds and got billed $60, looking for advice. Does anyone know of a decent local vets group there who could help, listen, talk, etc etc etc?

This is for a family member of an acquaintance who was telling me about this today. I said I'd pass it on and see what DUers could come up with. Edited to add that of course there is more to the story, but that is the basics. Thanks.

[liberalnurse]

1. He sounds depressed..........

He may of had thoughts of self harm and if he has access to a method, the ER will have him seen in Psyche. That said, getting admitted will give him 1:1 Social Services and access to community resources with appointments and a workable discharge plan. Let them "pink slip" him for the 3 days. O8)

[uppityperson]

2. Is looking more for longer term support/assistance.

No plan to kill self, has seen a doctor via VA who gave meds. Was upset after last visit to VA when got charged $60 for visit/meds.

Vet care is shrinking and wondering what other resources are out there, not just VA or private doc, but thinking about other vets support groups.

[liberalnurse]

3. This avenue to healthcare which I share

is frequently practiced by Veterans in my area. I do not know what clinical reason he is on meds, be it hypertension, gout or psyche....so, I share the most funded option, mental health as a mode to access care and the community. I hope some locals come to your aid.

[noamnety]

4. not sure if this will help

http://www.vets4vets.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=41

but I figured it's worth posting. They say on their website that they'll pay the full expenses to get to one of their workshops, and they have ones coming up this weekend, and also in January.

I don't see a local IVAW chapter in Las Vegas, but I suspect, no matter what his politics are, if he went to them asking for help, they'd offer it as well.

[uppityperson]

5. Thanks for the link. I have IVAW on the list, but not sure if will go for it.

Not sure if ready for the "AW" part yet, but may go and may be "AW" one of these days eventually also. Still being "patriotic", though I think returning to civilian life, living the aftermath, may change that. It is really sad. Remembering back to college days with VietNam vet friends, and here we are again.

[noamnety]

6. I gave a talk at a high school recently.

Among other things I was talking about what war does to people, including PTSD and the issues some of my friends have. A few days later that was followed by a talk by a more conservative vet, one who served in Iraq, for counterbalance. He told the kids he was all for the war, didn't want to pull troops out - but by the end of the talk he was discussing his PTSD and being suicidal. :(

I would like to think that the IVAW folks would have enough sense to understand a call for help and put politics aside. When I was working with them in NOLA, they weren't asking the politics of the people who owned the houses they were gutting. Vets4vets might be more in his comfort zone, though.

[uppityperson]

7. Last I heard from Niki, Skinner ended up going back into NOLA

wondering what happened to him, not a vet, but just because. You know?

[unhappycamper]

8. Here's another PTSD resource:

http://ptsdcombat.blogspot.com/

I fucking hate this occupation. /rant off :grr:

[uppityperson]

9. Thanks. and thanks for all the articles here too.