It's a well-known fact that millions of veterans struggle with some of the scars of service, both visible and otherwise. And in the latter category, problems like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are unfortunately all too common. The bigger issue is that they can also lead to self-harm, including suicide, and it's a very real problem in the veterans community today. Fortunately, more is now being done to address it.

An average of 20 veterans take their own lives each day, according to the latest and largest survey of suicide data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The data comes from 2014 – the latest year for which complete information was available – and more than 7,400 former service members commit suicide in that calendar year. That accounted for nearly 1 in 5 suicides of all types seen nationwide (down from 22 percent in 2010), despite the fact that veterans make up about 9 percent of the total population.

"One veteran suicide is one too many, and this collaborative effort provides both updated and comprehensive data that allows us to make better informed decisions on how to prevent this national tragedy," said Dr. David Shulkin, VA Under Secretary for Health. "We as a nation must focus on bringing the number of veteran suicides to zero."

A closer look at the numbers
The number of suicides in the total U.S. population has likewise surged during that 13-year stretch, rising 23 percent since 2001, but there was a 32 percent increase among veterans during the same time, the report said. When controlling for a number of factors, veterans are 21 percent more likely to take their own lives. In addition, nearly 2 in every 3 veteran suicides involved a former service member who was age 50 or older.

But it's worth noting that a good preventative step is simply reaching out to someone, the report said. The suicide rate among veterans regularly using VA services was much more in line with the national average, and grew just 8.8 percent from 2001 to 2014, in comparison with a 38.6 percent increase among those who did not use such services. Suicides among males saw an 11 percent jump among those who used VA services and 35 percent for those who did not. More stunningly, the rate for females who interacted with the VA only grew 4.6 percent, while that among females who did not surged 98 percent.

What's being done?
Fortunately, the VA is moving to address these concerns, the report said. It will expand care through its telemental hubs, hire more than 60 new counselors for its crisis hotline, and work with non-VA institutions to establish better partnerships and expand programs available to veterans who desperately need the help.

The more that can be done to both understand and address the problem of veteran suicide, the better off these former service members, their friends, families, and communities will be. Any efforts to provide them with help will likely go a long way toward helping to save their lives.

It's vitally important that communities have plans in place to help returning veterans re-integrate into civilian life. The unique strain of serving in the armed forces means these individuals sometimes have a circuitous route back to a happy and healthy everyday life. Fortunately, many cities and states have implemented helpful programs that aid veterans and family members in several ways. They can serve as examples of how to assist military personnel in times of need.

Several efforts involved in military outreach take the form of sports events or leagues. The communal spirit and pulling together associated with games can serve as a bridge between the sometimes-isolated world of returning veterans and the communities they have come home to.

Hockey league opens doors to veterans
A recent report from The Oakland Press highlighted a hockey program that caters directly to veterans with a current or pending disability rating, as well as those who earned Purple Hearts while serving. The news provider explained that there is no need to be an expert in the sport – any individual fitting the above criteria can participate, from the most to least experienced in hockey. The Michigan Warriors Hockey Program creates a space for hurt veterans to communicate and engage with one another in a recreational setting, hopefully helping them rejoin civilian life.

Wheelchair lacrosse proves life-saving
Fox6, a local news station in Wisconsin, reported on another league designed to help those with disabilities. Playing wheelchair lacrosse has proved to be an important and positive outlet for veterans who have suffered traumatic wounds. The psychological strain that can come with such an injury is a real risk, and playing a sport designed for those with a physical disability has the potential to restore hope and optimism.

"Many have gone down to the wrong pathway where there's drug abuses, violence. As soon as we bring them into adaptive sports and give them an ultimatum, 'We will kick you out if you go back to that life' – almost 100 percent of them turned around," Dr. Kenneth Lee, wheelchair lacrosse team founder and an Iraq veteran, told Fox6.

The news provider noted that the wheelchair lacrosse league is made up of veterans and civilians alike, brought together by the desire to enjoy a game with the attendant camaraderie and teamwork.

Games reach 36th year
Sports have long been harnessed as a way to help injured veterans engage with life after service. In fact, as Salt Lake Tribune columnist Kurt Kragthorpe pointed out,the National Veterans Wheelchair Games are in their 36th year. The event is an ambitious blend of sports and games, and this is the first year that it will include bobsledding – though just as an exhibition this time around.

This year's event has drawn more than 625 athletes who have served in the U.S. military, showing that there are many people eligible for such competitions. As more of these events pop up around the nation, individuals with pressing needs can find exciting new opportunities through sports and games. There is more than one way to help a veteran re-integrate into civilian life, and plenty of examples have appeared lately.

When service members return home and re-integrate themselves into civilian life, they often face challenges related to their time on active duty. The unique strain of military service can prove harmful unless these individuals receive assistance from concerned third parties. Thankfully, such groups are stepping up their efforts to be helpful and improve quality of life for veterans who have returned home. Facing longtime challenges with new technology is one of the interesting trends developing in this space lately.

Valuable counseling via text
A recent Military Times report zoomed in on an effort to connect individuals in crisis with help. The source noted that the military community is coalescing around the service, Crisis Text Line, which was originally developed for teenagers facing difficult situations. Over its three years of operation thus far, the line has branched out into new groups of individuals facing personal crises, veterans among them.

According to Military Times, it's impossible to tell exactly how many service members are receiving these texts due to the confidential nature of the program. That said, the organization behind the service believes military use is up 33 percent over two years. These service members are seeking help facing issues that can be triggered or exacerbated by the strain of life in the armed forces, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts among them. Furthermore, financial problems tend to be more common than expected. All of these issues deserve attention to keep sufferers safe.

Due to the line's wide-ranging nature, urgent texts from a number of different groups are receiving replies, the source explained. Military members on active duty can text the line, as can veterans and family members helping their loved ones deal with these issues or facing problems themselves. The line's founder, Nancy Lublin, told Military Times that while the organization does not provide ongoing counseling or therapy, it seeks to assist those in moments of crisis, de-escalating trouble and helping individuals move forward.

Filling a vital need
Services that help veterans through crises are valuable and much-needed at present. The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a sobering VA report that showed the suicide rate among veterans is still shockingly elevated. The survey, designed to determine an accurate figure of how many veterans commit suicide each day, put the daily figure at 20. That is lower than the 22 a day determined by previous research, but still frighteningly high, showing signs of a persistent crisis in the veterans community.

The Wall Street Journal reported that suicide is most pronounced among older service members, with 65 percent of those who die this way being 50 years old or older. The news source also noted that there are new efforts afoot to try and bring the rate down dramatically. Now, for instance, the VA has committed to holistic treatment methods that will seek out previously undiagnosed issues and hopefully intervene before it is too late. Mobilizing new efforts to save lives is necessary as a wide variety of groups attempt to make life better for those who have given so much to the country through their service.

Health care is one of the basic services every individual needs. Ensuring that no veteran goes without this necessity, no matter the types of health problems an individual may be facing, is one of the most pressing efforts facing the veterans organizations active today. The past few years have seen great strides and some setbacks, but through it all there has been a focus on achieving positive new outcomes for service members who have returned to civilian life.

The VA takes on cancer
According to Military Times, the Department of Veterans Affairs is part of a massive new effort to fight cancer using any means possible. The source noted that the current project comes from a White House initiative referred to as a "moonshot" and budgeted at $1 billion. The stated aim of the plan is to spend five years of concerted effort gaining 10 years' worth of medical knowledge.

The practical element of the partnership involves new capabilities for hospitals aligned with the VA. According to Military Times, the veterans organization now has agreements with the National Cancer Institute, Prostate Cancer Foundation and more. This is on top of an alliance with computing giant IBM and its Watson artificial intelligence program.

"We're essentially taking expertise that exists in our high-end centers and making sure that it is available in even our most rural centers," VA Undersecretary for Health Dr. David Shulkin told the news provider. "It's going to result in different treatment options and better decisions, and making sure every veteran is getting world-class cancer care."

The department's targets are ambitious when it comes to how many individuals will receive treatment – Military Times explained that 10,000 or more veterans are in line for therapy to help combat cancers. The involvement of the IBM computer may help doctors concoct treatment regimens that are personalized to each patient. This level of customization can help save lives, and it is fast: The news source reported that Watson requires as little as a day to create treatment plans in some cases.

The VA's efforts to defeat cancer are notable for their focus and ambition, and they should represent a promising addition to the capabilities of affiliated hospitals and other medical facilities. Every improvement to VA care is good news for veterans, whose care needs once they return from active duty need to receive consistent and sustained attention.

Hospitals aligned with the VA could soon be some of the best in the world at fighting cancer.

The drive to improve
The anti-cancer initiative is part of a greater effort to improve medical care at the VA. Massachusetts TV station WWLP recently reported that the recently released congressional report into conditions at the organization shows signs of progress. The VA has hired over 100 workers since over the course of two years, and while consistency is still in line for improvement, 97 percent of medical appointments at VA facilities are now handled within 30 days.

Veterans' service must be rewarded with great treatment once they have returned home. Therefore, the ongoing improvements to VA medical care, both incremental and drastic, are welcome developments. Leaders within the organization will no doubt strive to keep progress going over the next few years and beyond.

Military members are known for their extreme drive to support and protect Americans at home and abroad, as well as their unwavering commitment to the civilians in their communities upon returning stateside from service overseas. Veterans play a crucial role in many communities and, because there has been so much work to be done to improve the livelihood of all Americans in the past few years, they have been invaluable in many local areas across the nation of late. 

The job of a veteran is never truly finished, and the training received while going through boot camp and serving in combat can be easily applied to some of the demanding jobs that need to be covered in civilian life. One group of veterans is working to contribute to the improvement of certain areas in one major city through simple projects, and this is expected to have a relatively large impact on the municipality's residents in the near future. 

Rebuilding a broken city
Military Times recently reported that Operation Motown Muster, a deployment of sorts involving volunteers who served in the military, was launched by a Missouri-based nonprofit called The Mission Continues to help revitalize underserved areas of Detroit. According to the news provider, this current project has the biggest scale of any launched by the group, and includes dozens of veterans who will contribute to construction, beautification and rebuilding projects in some of the toughest areas of the Motor City. 

"When you're not part of something that's bigger than yourself, you lose that identity. You become isolated, and a lot of us tend to go to dark places," Denver resident and post-September 11 veteran Ben Eichel told Military Times. "So, The Mission Continues was there and got me involved in the community. It helped me reintegrate in civilian society effectively, because I learned that I'm not just a veteran."

The source pointed out that the deployment aims to clear out empty lots, beautify certain parks and create an art gallery out of a dilapidated classroom in the city, while individuals involved in the project will spend several days completing the projects. 

"We believe very strongly that military veterans are really uniquely poised to help try to solve some of these community challenges all over the country,"one of leaders of The Mission Continues and former Marine combat engineer Mary Bruggeman told Military Times. 

Reciprocating the assistance
The Times-News reported that one community in Burlington, Vermont, has pulled together to work on a construction project that will give a veteran who lost his ability to walk while serving in Afghanistan a new home. This is just one of countless stories in which communities work to support veterans in their area, and shows the value of reciprocating the support and assistance military members give to civilians throughout their careers and long after retiring. 

Veterans and civilians working together to complete projects can help to unify communities and assist in the process of re-acclimating service members to their lives at home. 

Although awareness is largely viewed as one of the most important weapons in the fight against post-traumatic stress disorder among the veteran community, another critical facet is destigmatizing the affliction in the eyes of sufferers. Because PTSD has long had such a severe stigma in some circles, many veterans will end up being ostracized from their local communities, or might even avoid getting help given their lack of desire to be classified as someone living with the disorder. 

Destigmatizing a disorder of any kind is no easy task, and demands a joint effort between the veteran community and civilians who interact with former military members to truly succeed. Luckily, the call to action has been heard across the nation, and many projects have been launched to actively inform Americans of what PTSD really entails and how it impacts sufferers on a daily basis. One advocacy group has been working hard to contribute to this cause. 

Spreading awareness
The Detroit Free Press recently reported that Honor for All, an advocacy group run by veterans and based in Royal Oak, Michigan, has made its core mission the complete eradication of stigmas related to PTSD. The group's leadership believes that achieving this objective would have a profoundly positive impact on not only the veteran community, but civilians who are around individuals suffering from PTSD on a daily basis. Interestingly, the group has a relatively intense connection to the dangers of this stigma. 

According to the news provider, Honor for All's vice president, Kent Hall, served in the Army during Vietnam and suffered from severe PTSD, then attempted a suicide by cop back in 1985 due to his lack of treatment and knowledge of the disorder. This is not all that uncommon in the veteran community, but Hall affirmed that the combination of a highly skilled officer on that fateful day with the support he received following the event has helped him live on. Now he wants to help others who live under similar circumstances. 

The source pointed out that Michigan Representative Tom Barrett explained that more veterans die from suicide than in combat today, which is why he commemorated Post Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day this week. The Detroit Free Press noted that Honor for All is looking to change the moniker of PTSD to post-traumatic stress injury in hopes that it will help to reduce stigma. 

Simple steps toward improvement
PTSD is too often misunderstood, but this is likely caused by the relative novelty of scientific and medical research focused on the disorder. Although PTSD has been well-known for decades, intelligent conversations and advocacy for sufferers did not truly pick up until the turn of the century, but improvements have been widespread since that point. 

Veterans and their neighbors can find helpful resources related to treating and understanding PTSD through a range of groups and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Throughout the past decade or so, it has become abundantly clear that the best treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder will be highly specialized in accordance with the specific needs of each veteran. Combating PTSD begins with raising awareness, and is then driven by access to a broad spectrum of options with respect to rehabilitation. Many groups have sprouted up that seek to help veterans through the healing process in new ways. 

Between expanding the medicinal options available and offering alternative treatments, advocacy groups, government agencies and other entities are having a tremendously positive impact on the veteran community. One of the biggest topics of conversation in this arena on the national level has been the use of medicinal marijuana to treat PTSD, and Rhode Island just made a move to further relevant research and treatment options for veterans in the state. 

Legislation passed
Thanks to consistently positive results of studies related to the use of medicinal marijuana for PTSD treatment, regulators have been pushing new reforms to make this once-controversial drug legal and available to veterans. The Providence Journal recently reported that Governor Gina Raimondo will either pass or veto a measure that was passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly to expand the definitions of legal treatments for PTSD in the state to include medicinal marijuana. The legislation has been dubbed the Edward O. Hawking and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act. 

"Medical marijuana is already the law of Rhode Island. We've already established that it works in treating certain conditions," said Senator Stephen Archambault, who introduced the bill into the Assembly, according to the source. "It is unconscionable that we would not add PTSD to the list of medical conditions that would benefit from it. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very real psychological problem, particularly among our veteran community, and it's our responsibility to provide them with treatment options that can alleviate their suffering."

The news provider pointed out that scientific studies have shown medicinal marijuana to be highly effective in treating the depression, anxiety and flashbacks associated with PTSD – a disorder which roughly 30 percent of post-September 11 veterans experience. The Providence Journal noted that the bill was built in such a way that fast tracks the various statutes to ensure, once it is signed into law by Governor Raimondo, the treatment will be logistically accessible to veterans as quickly as possible. 

Getting the necessary assistance
PTSD has had many names throughout the past century, but one could make the argument that it is better-understood by the medical community, government and military than ever before. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wealth of information and services regarding the most effective types of treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medication and brief psychodynamic psychotherapy. 

Veterans suffering from PTSD should not hesitate to seek out assistance from the local, state and federal entities available to support them through the healing process. 

Since service members began to come home from their duties overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq, there has been a consistent push to help these individuals get jobs right when they arrive. Because the veteran community has struggled to find the right professions upon returning in the past, this has not been an easy task, but more groups are contributing to boost opportunities for military members. One of the more prominent and novel today is working to get veterans involved in entrepreneurship. 

Leadership skills, problem-solving, the ability to thrive under extreme duress and other common characteristics of veterans make them incredibly well-suited to business ownership. Thanks to the efforts of government agencies and advocacy groups, there has been a notable uptick in the number of veteran-owned companies across the country, and it appears as though this trend will continue to intensify as time goes on. 

Construction company success
The New York Times recently reported that one veteran-owned and operated business, Rhumbix, has incorporated lessons and strategies learned in the military into its approach to management on several levels. According to the news provider, Rhumbix is one of many enterprises to be involved in the upswing of veteran-owned businesses, as half of World War II service members ran their own companies upon returning home compared to a fraction of that in 2014. 

Interestingly the source pointed out that Rhumbix has used a tool leveraged during the Arab Spring by the military to monitor service member locations to enhance construction project management – especially in the field. Because construction projects need to be so carefully tracked at every stage, having a tool that can strengthen the transparency of reports related to productivity and workforce hours can be invaluable for a firm operating in the sector. 

Rhumbix's co-founder Zachary Scheel, a retired U.S. Navy civil engineer and junior officer, explained that his experiences in the military have prepared him for the challenges of the private sector. 

"Veterans are comfortable operating in high-pressure environments that are changing rapidly, where they're constantly forced to make decisions with incomplete information," Scheel told The New York Times. 

At the end of the day, veterans will often need access to other types of support and professional development opportunities to make the transition back into civilian life. Luckily, there are many to choose from. 

Professional assistance
Veterans can turn to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a range of their needs when trying to begin their careers as entrepreneurs, including specialized lending programs and educational materials. When looking to get support for re-acclimation purposes in the context of applying for jobs and finding the right career path, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be invaluable to service members. 

Myriad local advocacy groups and special programs are available in most states and cities across the nation as well. Veterans should not hesitate to take advantage of these resources, as such support can pay dividends when launching a new company. 

Congress has been highly active in the pursuit of excellence when it comes to better serving and supporting the veteran community throughout the past several years. Whether it is enacting widespread reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs or launching new programs to help veterans with a range of unique needs, committees and subsets within the House of Representatives and the Senate are striving to regain the trust of service members, both active and retired. 

One of the centerpieces of this movement has been the Veterans First Act, which is currently making its way through the Senate and appears to be close to finalization and approval. This legislation is a big deal for the veteran community and the country at large, as it contains so many different statutes related to the services government agencies and others offer to service members, as well as how those departments operate and how they keep activities transparent. 

Speeding up?
Leo Shane III, writing for Military Times, recently reported that the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has been highly focused on the Veterans First Act, and is trying to push the legislation to a vote before the recess beginning in July. Unfortunately, he pointed out that the VFA had hit some roadblocks and fell far behind schedule with respect to a vote, but this latest push seems to have some legs thanks to a questionable decision from the VA.

According to the author, the VA stated that it would not be following the "fast-track firing rules" implemented two years ago, and that this announcement actually added a level of urgency that was seen both within and outside of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Champions of the legislation believe it will be one of the more progressive bills to pass in the context of veterans. 

"Three and a half weeks ago every member of our committee voted unanimously for the Veterans First bill," Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia, who is the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, explained, according to Shane. "Why? Because it first of all hits the heart and strikes the point we all know needs to be struck. Our veterans, who have served us, fought for us, risked their lives for us, deserve the respect, the treatment and benefits they were promised when they signed up for duty."

The author added that debates have been contentious, and that only 12 working days remain before the recess to get the vote completed and legislation into action. 

Still a sign of progress
Many issues involved in the VA and other arms of the government that serve the military community have arisen in the past decades that have hindered the public's opinions toward these agencies, especially the sentiments of veterans. However, so long as this legislation gets passed in the near future, it will be a major win for the service member community, and the bill is believed to cover myriad areas that had led to outrage and dissatisfaction throughout the past several years. 

Treating post-traumatic stress disorder and other afflictions that embattle veterans has become a far more innovative practice in the past few years, with groups and medical professionals branching out from traditional approaches. One of the most popular and widely respected trends in this area has been the increasing use of dogs, horses and other therapy animals to assist veterans in healing and regaining their footing upon returning from overseas. 

In some situations, advocacy groups are even working to help animals and veterans in one fell swoop. One such entity has been working to match former service members with rescue horses.

Co-healing
The Seattle Times recently reported that the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center has launched an equine therapy initiative that has already begun to positively impact veterans who get involved. According to the news provider, Army veteran Major Dan Thomas has been healing with the help of the program after being severely injured during his duty in Afghanistan. He plans to expand equine therapy to his home state of Alabama. 

Because there are so many rescue horses in need of care and attention, the group from the medical center has worked with sanctuaries and state officials to coordinate sessions that allow veterans to contribute. Interestingly, the source pointed out that they have been particularly active with Friesian horses, which are known to be extremely smart and timid. Thomas worked with these horses in his therapy sessions. 

"I've been through lots and lots of things. After being blown up, it's quite a traumatic experience for you," Thomas told The Seattle Times. "The horses are what works for me. So I know it's out there and works for other people because I've seen it."

This veteran's sentiments regarding the identification of specific types of therapy that work for him is largely the foundation for treatment centers and groups trying out so many different approaches to helping the service member community. Initiatives that match therapy dogs with veterans have also been immensely effective, though one new story has indicated that the funding needed to make these programs work is lagging behind demand. 

Time to speed up
The Salem News recently reported that the current status of legislation on Capitol Hill has left a lot to be desired with respect to the PAWS Act, which would help veterans living with PTSD adopt service dogs. The news provider affirmed that service dogs are currently offered to veterans with physical ailments, but not mental ones, and that it currently appears as though the extension of the legislation to reach PTSD sufferers will not occur until 2018. This has upset certain members of Congress. 

"Veterans cannot wait until 2018. The problem of veteran suicides is too urgent," Representative Ron DeSantis, who is acting chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, explained, according to the source. 

Hopefully this program and others that have proved effective will go into action a bit quicker in the coming years.