Page 622 - Total War on PTSD

Act was to further expand suicide prevention programs and mental health services at the VA. Congress is again exploring legislative options in the wake of four Veterans who committed suicide at VA medical centers in April 2019.
“It’s irresponsible for us to think that the government has it under control,” states Rieman, with regard to legislative and clinical efforts undertaken by Congress and VA, “that’s not a slap on them, it’s just unrealistic.” Rieman noted that one of the challenges with many government programs is their rigidity. “Lots of vets can’t process what’s happening internally, so we have to bend a little to help them get to where they need to be, rather than rule with a hammer,” he states.
Indeed, the circumstances surrounding John Toombs’ final moments is an example of how rigidity can work to hurt, rather than help some Veterans. Toombs was in the residential treatment program at the Murfreesboro VA that, although intended to be “an intensive therapeutic atmosphere,” also “demand[ed] strict discipline.” When, on the morning of November 22, 2016, Toombs failed to take his medication on time, he was abruptly kicked out of the program. His death by suicide took place only hours later.
“Real change happens in the community, and some communities are better at receiving Veterans back home than others.” Rieman stated in response, clearly saddened by the account of what happened to Toombs, and tacitly acknowledging the community embrace that enabled him to pursue a much different path. “We need to better define what transition is – it’s moving from one point to another. It’s not just a one-time event that happens when you get out of the military. It extends far beyond that.”
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