VA, local support groups working to combat mental health issues in Tampa Bay area

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — Veteran mental health issues — largely overlooked in past decades — are now getting more attention as Veterans Affairs facilities and local support groups push plans to combat anxiety, depression and isolation among former military.

"Twenty veterans dying per day by suicide, but only six of them are getting care of the VA at that given time," said Troy Howell, the suicide prevention coordinator for James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.

According to the VA's numbers, up to 7,300 veterans die by suicide in just one year. That's more than the nearly 7,000 military who died in combat in the 18 years since Sept. 11, 2001.

Howell said the biggest hurdle is getting veterans to ask for help.

"It's hard for somebody who has been trained — for lack of a better term — to avoid admitting fault to now come in and ask for help," said Howell.

Howell said the VA is hoping to reach more vets in distress through the federal agency's 24-hour hotline at 855-948-2311.

Locally, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay runs the Florida Veterans Support Line, which is answered by veterans.

"When a veteran is calling in for help, it took a big step for them to even come to that point," said Nikita Wilson, a supervisor of the veterans support line.

Wilson, a veteran who has struggled with her own trauma, said the veterans call unit receives more than 4,000 calls a year.

"When someone who can relate to them and understand what they're saying, it helps break down those barriers bit by bit," said Wilson. "Then there's those who have been battling the internal battle for so long and it's reaching a point to where they can't do it alone anymore.

Harvest House in Sarasota County is one local organization working to make veterans feel less alone.

Cory Davis said living at the home for vets is providing him the support to seek a degree in computer programming.

"If it wasn't for me being here, I wouldn't have the ability to go to school like I am right now," said Davis.

Davis, who was discharged from the military under honorable conditions, said he struggled with the transition to civilian life.

"I had an extreme failure to adapt after the military because it wasn't a process of transition," said Davis. "It was you're in and now you're out."

Davis said that feeling of failure led to legal trouble and five years in prison for burglary.

"To go from feeling like you have a purpose greater than yourself to just being another human being — it takes a toll on you emotionally."

Veteran Leslie Ridlon said K9 Partners for Patriots, a Hernando County organization that trains shelter dogs for veterans, is helping her adjust to post-military life.

Ridlon, who served with the U.S. Army and Marines for nearly three decades, said she struggled with anxiety and a pill addiction after an injury.

"I was angry and I didn't know why I was angry, but everyone was angry," said Ridlon. "At that point, I wasn't sleeping."

Ridlon said she found comfort with the help of her new dog Chewy, who was matched with her through K9 Partners for Patriots.

"My family was concerned about me because I wasn't sleeping, so I didn't think the dog would really help," said Ridlon. "I slept the very first night. I don't know if it was a comfort, but I slept and usually I'm on high alert, but I was able to sleep."

K9 Partners for Patriots also provides group counseling, which Ridlon said she utilizes.

"I'm in such a better place," said Ridlon. "It just feels good to sit with the veterans and talk. We have problems that nobody else understands."