Question: My son recently returned home from Iraq. I’ve noticed that his emotions range from euphoric to outright anger. He’s not getting the proper amount of sleep and he goes out of his way to avoid being with family and friends. He prefers to stay in his room rather than talk to us. It’s obvious something happened in Iraq and it’s troubling him. I’m hoping he does not become suicidal. What services do the VA offer that could help him?

Answer: There seems to be two issues that need to be addressed – your son’s mental health and your concern that he may become suicidal. The VA offers in- and out-patient mental health services at its medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics. Readjustment counseling is available for veterans and their families at most facilities throughout the country.

The 2010 edition of Federal Benefits for Veterans list the following mental health services: in- and out-patient care, homeless programs, agendas for incarcerated veterans, specialized Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) services, military sexual trauma, psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery services, substance use disorders, suicide programs, geriatrics, violence prevention, evidence-based psychotherapy programs, mental health disaster response/post deployment activities.  The VA has links to the aforementioned specialized programs.

Oftentimes when a person goes through a trauma, such as war, he/she will probably show some type of emotional distress such as PTSD. A mental health provider can screen your son by asking him a short list of questions to see if he needs to be assessed further. To obtain more information about treating, coping or to watch videos about PTSD, visit VA National Center for PTSD.

The VA has an on-line service, in partnership with Lifeline, for veterans and their families and friends, where they can chat anonymously with trained VA counselors. Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273-8255. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be accessed through the suicide prevention website.

For more information about mental health and suicide prevention, contact your nearest VA facility.

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Russell Davis has spent the last few years aggressively seeking answers to his own veterans’ benefit questions. He’ll be taking over the Taking on Life blog every Friday to tell you what he’s learned and to help honorable military discharged women and men, their spouses, partners and others to find answers. Click here to read his previous questions and answers, or to ask him a question.

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