It’s not often that so many societal forces come together at such a positive inflection point for Veterans. The President’s Budget calls for over $497M for Suicide Prevention. The VA writes that Suicide Prevention is its #1 clinical priority. $697M is allocated for a new 988 Suicide Crisis line and Behavioral Health Services Program. National campaigns continue to identify suicide risk factors and suicide prevention strategies. Massive State, Foundation, and Veteran-help budgets are devoted to Suicide Prevention programs. Lacking again this Veterans Day is identification of a major contributor to Veteran suicides: proper risk assessment and diagnoses of brain wounds, and the “cure” for suicidal ideation that typically accompanies TBI/PTSD. We use the word “cure” cautiously because so many complicating factors weigh in on a decision to succumb to thoughts of suicide. Yet the rate continues to climb among active duty and veteran service members, even as the TreatNOW Coalition continues to show how Hyperbaric Oxygenation “cures” suicidal ideation and restores brain health. The TreatNOW Coalition has been arguing for a proper assessment of science on the use of Hyperbaric Oxygenation for TBI/PTSD for over 14 years. 22 peer-reviewed scientific publications and over 21,000 success stories treating brain wounds demonstrate the safety and efficacy of HBOT-for-TBI/PTSD/suicide ideation. Facts demand change n policy and medical intervetions. Scientific proof – including the data in DOD/VA/Army studies — show safety and efficacy. Anecdotal evidence worldwide is also proof that we can do more than current approaches to end suicidal ideation, save lives, and restore quality of life to the brain-wounded. See this video for a personal story of a brush with suicide, and the heroic outcome. NATIONAL/VA/MILITARY SUICIDE PREVENTION STRATEGIES ARE NOT PREVENTING SUICIDES. A few facts are necessary to choose an additional way forward. - Since 9/11 the US military has endured over 109,000 suicides
- The suicide rate is largely unaltered by White House, NIH, CDC, VA, DoD, US Army, USMC prevention programs despite continual budget increases.
- Current programs focus on “risk/protective factors” and never mention healing brain wounds, a proven factor in suicidal ideation.
- The most recent White House strategy makes it seem as though PSA videos on gun safety and better communication are working. Claiming that “We increasingly know what works” is not the same as preventing suicide and reversing the trends.
- Despite B of $/years of research, no science is available to support government prevention programs.
- Government programs continue to avoid naming BRAIN WOUNDS as a debilitating injury that is healed with Hyperbaric Oxygenation, along with ending suicidal ideation.
- Combat wounds, particularly blast injury and trauma, contribute to what the VA asserts: “TBI Veterans are 2.45 times more likely to die by suicide.”
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for TBI/PTSD Injured Restores Hope/Life, and “cures” Suicidal Ideation.
- TreatNOW. Heal brains. Stop Suicides. Restore lives.
Prepared by Guest Contributor: James Hooker, 703-994-5201 jamesshooker39@gmail.com. For the full Point Paper, see Latest News, TreatNOW.org For a comprehensive look at what is NOT working with DOD/VA Interventions to fight brain wounding, see here. |