More options opening for veterans to talk about mental health issues

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ohio — Veterans often are troubled by what they've been through, and many contemplate suicide.

Mental health is something that is talked about more and more as the years go on.

"In the past it was so taboo to talk about your mental health,” said Nathan Slussar, officer, Jefferson County Veterans Service. “It just wasn't something that was out there. It's not like something like having a heart problem."

Ohio has about 790,000 veterans, the sixth-largest population of vets in the country.

According to the VA’s 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, as of 2020, the suicide rate for veterans was 57.3 percent higher than the normal civilian.

And in that year, 230 of those deaths were in Ohio.

Slussar says it’s time to break the stigma and normalize talking about internal issues.

"What I have noticed is, with us talking about it and with this becoming a more common subject, veterans are more willing to have these conversations with each other," he said.

Mental illness has strong links to these suicides. From PTSD to depression, those who served our country face obstacles that can sometimes take over their lives.

Slussar says there are various resources available to those who need the help.

And with the closest VA being in Pittsburgh, local mental health providers and community-based outreach clinics have stepped up.

"But I think what a lot of veterans are doing is they go to the local CBOCs, so you'll have the East Liverpool CBOB, and you'll have the one down in St. Clairsville and that’s where a lot of the guys go for their treatment," Slussar said.

And the Vet Center in wheeling offers services as well, in addition to the new 9-8-8 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Line.

One key element is keeping these matters confidential.

"Guys and gals are concerned about being on the record of having mental health issues or talking about suicide,” Slussar said. “And the beauty of a vet center is this is not VA. It’s not tracked. It gives them a place to talk, but they don't have to worry about somebody getting too involved."

He says it’s important that veterans speak up and normalize these conversations sooner than later.

"That way we can get the suicide numbers down. We've all heard the 22 a day, well that's a number we really need to reduce immensely," Slussar said.