Iraq vet in Las Vegas needing help.

[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. Thanks.

[maddezmom]

1. x-post in the Veterans forum

lots of great people there with connections.

[uppityperson]

2. Thanks, I just did.

Interesting bit is that the family (parents) are the common folk type that vote repub. Sigh. Big sighs and tears from them now also. But that is why their kid got out, because of all the crap going on. Thanks.

[Emit]

3. Here's what I've got so far

(I am not familiar with these personally)


Recon
http://reconhouse.netfirms.com/page3.html

The American Legion
Department of Nevada
737 Veterans Memorial Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89101 US
1-702 382-2353
The American Legion offers all kinds of support, services and information for veterans. The American Veterans Alliance Service Center

http://vets.com
The American Veterans Alliance Service Center provides valuable information, resources and links to assist veterans.

Readjustment Counseling Services (Vet Center)
1919 S. Jones, Suite A, Las Vegas, NV 89146
[phone]
http://www.las-vegas.med.va.gov/facilities/lev2VetsCenter.htm

[uppityperson]

4. Thanks. I'll make copies of everything and give to folks to pass on.

Appreciate it. In this post-9-11 world where vets services are cut and cut and cut, seems we have to help each other more and more. Appreciate it.

[Emit]

6. Here's another group that might have some info for where to go in LV

for services related to Vets. I know they did some stuff in Vegas in the past, although I can't find a Vegas address:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=342&Itemid=802

[uppityperson]

8. thank you for all these. Folks said thought would be more likely to

work with other vets, people who have gone through it in real life.

[Emit]

7. And one more

Disabled American Veterans

Veteran's Assistance Office

4800 Alpine Place, Suite at 7

Las Vegas, NV 89107

[phone]
http://www.davnevada.org/

(From: http://communitylink.reviewjournal.com/servlet/lvrj_ProcServ/dbpage=cge&gid=01313001051036715226910903&pg=01313001051036736669622257 )

[uppityperson]

14. I printed the list and gave it to parents. Mom got teary and said thank you all.

Will fax it to vet and see what happens. Thank you Emit and everyone else.

[CoffeeCat]

5. Just a suggestion...

I suggest that someone in Las Vegas do some research for him. Look up therapists
and psychotherapists in the area. Many psychotherapists have ads in the Yellow
Pages that list their specialties. Many now mention that they help with "trauma"
or "PTSD".

I would call a few of these therapists and ask for recommendations on where a needy
soldier could turn. It sounds like he probably has PTSD.

Therapists specializing in PTSD would clearly understand that this man needs help and
support. Possibly there is a PTSD support-group in his area. Possibly the therapist
could link him in with other soldiers or get him into a group.

It's obvious, that our government has no desire to help with the emotional and psychological
fallout that these soldiers experience. I think you'd rec'v much more compassion and
professional help from therapists who specialize in PTSD, because they understand the
urgency and the care these guys need and deserve.

Honestly...this makes me heart break and my blood boil, in one fell swoop.

[uppityperson]

9. I found out this vet is on a 2 yr waiting list for mental health care via VA

12 yrs in, said wasn't allowed to reup so got out to find some code on discharge papers saying eligible to reup. Thinks may have something to do with being in a Hummer and having others in the Hummer die when IED went off next to them. I printed out list and am giving to parents. They are pissed former republicans who believed that vets would be taken care of for injuries sustained in the line of duty. They are pissed.

[bonito]

10. Kick

[EFerrari]

11. I call the National Coalition for the Homeless and get referrals

for everywhere. They're in DC:

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

CONTAct us: National Coalition for the Homeless | 2201 P St NW | Washington, DC 20037 | Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | Email: [e-mail].

[uppityperson]

12. Vet has a home, spouse, children. Not homeless, but thanks.

[EFerrari]

13. They don't turn anyone away.

Good luck!

[frogcycle]

15. you've gotten some good leads already

but please pass along that an awful lot of us are pulling for him. We know we can't imagine what it's like, but at least we are aware it is unimagineable. And tell your parents their country is still the country they thought it was; it just needs to shed itself of a disease.