VFW Stands Up Against Military Suicides

Posted by Andy Alt on June 17, 2009

Something I recently came across on the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) web site.

(For Northfielder’s: to watch a video of the 2005 Northfield Veteran’s Memorial dedication, visit http://northfieldmn.wordpress.com/resources-s-z/veterans/)

VFW Stands Up Against Military Suicides (May 29, 2009 ?)

In an open letter, VFW Commander-in-Chief Glen Gardner is urging his 1.6 million members to help OEF/OIF veterans cope with the stresses of war.

Dear Comrades:

There is an enemy in our midst that is having a devastating effect on our servicemen and women in the field and at home. That enemy is stress.

Since 9/11, more military personnel and veterans have committed suicide than the total dead from both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, and this tragedy is occurring despite the best of intentions and programs offered by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. That is because the need has overwhelmed the capacity of government and civilian mental health centers. It’s also because some people simply refuse to admit they need help.

Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award

Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award -

The Jerry Greenspan Student Voice of Mental Health Award was established to honor a student who is reducing stigma around mental illness, raising awareness of mental health problems on campus, or encouraging help-seeking among his or her peers.

The student selected for this award will receive:

• $2,000 cash scholarship
• Recognition through The Jed Foundation’s website and events
• Trip to New York to attend The Jed Foundation’s annual gala in June 2009
• An opportunity to appear on MTVU

Mental Health News, Opinions, and Links

Depression program shows promise By Jeremy Olson (St. Paul Pioneer Press, Dec 20 2008)

Mental illness on the rise among young adults (Minnesota Public Radio, Dec 19, 2008)

FDA adds suicide warning to epilepsy drugs (Associated Press, December 16, 2008)

The new warnings apply to 21 medications, including blockbuster products like GlaxoSmithKline’s Lamictal, Johnson & Johnson’s Topamax and Pfizer’s Lyrica.

From the Northfield News: Grief Demands Support System

An article on page 4A of the Northfield News (November 14,15) by Jaci Smith is definitely worth a read.

Grief demands support system

Northfield Mental Health Candlelight Vigil at Bridge Square

Northfield Candlelight Vigil at Bridge Square
By Andy Alt / Mental Health in Northfield, MN

Oct 9, 2008 – The mental health candelight vigil took place earlier tonight. Fourteen people attended. Six people attended the first Northfield candlelight vigil last year.

Journalism isn’t my strong suit, so I welcome any stories from the event. The contact link in the right can be used to send them to me.

Abraham Lincoln’s Melancholy

northfieldmn.wordpress.com

Several months ago, Tom Swift, author of Chief Bender’s Burden, recommended Lincoln’s Melancholy (By Joshua Wolf Shenk) to me.

River City Books: Price May Alleviate the Blues

It’s a portrait of Abraham Lincoln’s life struggle with depression…..Years of copious research resulted in an engrossing, nuanced profile that reveals the depression that profoundly influenced Lincoln’s life and character — an element of the great president’s makeup that may very well have been the most important one.

Congress Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation

NewsHour with Jim Lehrer: Congress Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation By Jenny Marder

For decades, people with mental illnesses have faced higher co-payments and deductibles for psychiatric treatment than for the treatment of other conditions. They have struggled with limitations on the number of doctor visits that health plans will allow, and they have paid more money out-of-pocket for antidepressant or antipsychotic medications than for other prescription drugs.

The mental health parity legislation would require health insurance companies to provide the same level of medical treatment to people with mental illness and substance abuse problems as they would for any other medical condition.

Autism efforts go global at United Nations forum

Autism efforts go global at U.N. forum

(NEW YORK (CNN) — Seeking to make the world of autism a little smaller, members of the international diplomatic community gathered Friday at the United Nations World Focus on Autism.