Seven veterans under VA's care commit suicide

They served their country honorably but after risking their life in combat abroad, coping with coming home was too much. In the last three months seven servicemen being treated by Spokane's VA Hospital have committed suicide. KXLY4's John Langeler reports.

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• spokane
• military
• veterans
• suicide
• hospital
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[dwemmy]

Rarely do I blame others for their own actions, but this is a clear case of the VA's complete incompetence. The whole hospital program needs to prioritize mental health immediately! My sincere condolences.

[DOCPTSD]

Sorry to be so late reading this article. There are no words! I know since I am ex-military psychiatrist Vietnam 1968-1973 with two tours with VAMCs. There are no comprehensive programs for PTSD at the VAs or military bases. Inadequate in understanding of veterans is the rule. The antiquated System that is the VA has no oversight committee that has guts to make corrective change and kick out the dead wood that permeates therein. I know and can document my words. Video coming. Journalist needed

[gjjh711169]

My name is Hannah and Tim was my cousin and good friend...I miss him dearly. The VA hospital in Spokane never told us about his condition because of confidentiality. That is crap because we could have helped in some way. His death shouldn't have happened.

[gjjh711169]

Hi my name is Hannah Quesnell and Timothy Juneman was my cousin and good friend. It's absolute bullshit what happened. I despise the VA hospital because they could have easily checked on my cousin after he had missed several appointments and possibly even saved his life. The hospital didn't share any info about Tim's health with us and so there was no way of us knowing...Tim hid it very well. We all miss him so much and as much as we want to blame everyone for his death, it was his decision.

[gjjh711169]

You know I hope nobody blames the family for the suicide because this is my family. We did all we could to help Tim, we loved him so much. I hope people learn from my cousin/friend's case. I hate the war because things like this happen everyday to these men and women. I planned on traveling over to Tim's apartment to check on him but it was too late. It was a shock to everyone...the VA hospital didn't release any info on our sick loved one.  If we had known we could have helped somehow.

[thelumberjackjohn]

i blame the bush administration.. this war is a false war. i went to iraq and afghnistan there is nothing to do there we need to get out and stop this nonsense of deploying soldiers like 3 times.. this war on terror needs to end now!!

[celizabethj]

What is happening to our veterans is unacceptable. The care that these men are receiving is inadequate. A soldier suffering from clinical depression, PTSD, and TBI simply cannot be expected to stay on top of their own care. Their pleas for help cannot be dismissed or overlooked. The VA needed to stand up for this poor, troubled, frightened man. Soldiers are people, not war cogs. They bleed and suffer like the rest of us - maybe more.

Enough is enough. Support our troops! Bring them home!!!

[GulfVet213]

Yes there are some good doctors at the VA but there are a lot of bad ones. I know I've lost respect for those pathetic pricks. Thank God I have private insurance through my wife.

[sweetlurch]

This is why i wrote It's Blasphemy, whatcha' askin' me!!!! I'm a Vet!!! I've got a lot of friends and family the same!!!! Fortunately my neice came back & is doing fine!! Marines only spend six months at a time.  One of the reasons I wrote the president, was the effect war has on soldiers and an immoral war would have greater effect on our troops coming home!!!

[MCCAIN1962]

I agree,she will fill the guilt.I hope this doesnt turn into someone looking for money.