Local Programs Prevent Military Suicide: At Ease and Vets4Vets

As of 2011, veterans suicide rates were at a record high due to the high volume of soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the areas of Nebraska and Grand Islands, military population is high and mental health support services are lacking.

With less federal funding for supporting our returning military service members, more state programs are stepping in to provide the necessary military support.

Lutheran Family Services is helping our veterans with two more trauma treatment programs, "At Ease" and Vets4Vets, to help veterans and military families deal with the mental and emotional stress unique to military life.

The results are promising: veterans and military families served by At Ease report reduced symptoms and at risk behaviors such as self-injury, suicide attempts, and excessive drug use.

AT EASE COUNSELING FOR MILITARY STRESS AND TRAUMA

"At Ease" provides confidential, individualized counseling, as well as group treatment.

At Ease was founded in 2009 by Scott Anderson, an Omaha-based businessman, with locations in multiple locations throughout Nebraska and Grand Island counties.

To fill the gaps of existing veterans organizations programs, At Ease focuses on easing the daily stresses of military family, military career, and needed military lifestyle readjustments when soldiers return home from war.

At East treatment programs extend from military service members to their friends and family members to provide stress treatment for a military service member's entire support network.

At Ease treats all military service members in need, regardless of their service status.

VETS4VETS OUTREACH

Vets4Vets supports veterans through military peer counseling.

Vets4Vets program works with local groups of veterans and military families who meet regularly at the Central Community College campuses in Grand Island and Hastings.

The meetings provide support to veterans and their families through the sharing of military experiences that civilians might not understand.

EXTRA SUPPORT FOR GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA

According to At Ease research, reservists and National Guard members make up 45 percent of military deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Twenty percent of households in Grand Island have a veteran, and Nebraska has dependent military children in each of its 93 counties, with 686 military children living in the 22 counties served by `At Ease' Grand Island's office.

The only VA programs for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In Nebraska operate in Omaha and Lincoln, but 32 out of the 50 National Guard companies are stationed outside the Omaha and Lincoln areas.

At Ease and Vets4Vets have filled a need and answered the call of duty for veterans in need of emotional support.