Veteran's Day 2008

Consider these statistics:

• Nearly 33 percent of those who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan will experience mental health issues.

• In 2007, the suicide rate among veterans who served in the US Army was at an all-time high.

• Approximately 40 percent of all homeless veterans live with mental illnesses.

• Nearly 57 percent of this aforementioned group are African American or Hispanic veterans.

•  Approximately 30 percent of veterans treated in the Veterans health system experienced depressive symptoms, two to three times the rate of the general population.

With an historic Election now behind us, Americans turn to Veterans Day on November 11 to honor all those who once served in our Armed Forces. Michelle Obama has said that, " The struggles of America's families aren't new to Barack... He also knows that when our military goes to war, their families go with them. He's a strong advocate for predictable deployments and better healthcare - including mental health - for returning service people." It is with renewed hope that we hear these words. (Read the rest here.)

Stand with NAMI and make a donation in support of better mental health care resources for veterans, active duty service members, and their families. You may even make your gift in tribute to a veteran, active duty service member, or other loved one, and include a message of support for display on the NAMI's Veterans Tribute Honor Roll.

So today let us say thank you to our veterans - including my son, whose bravery in facing the struggles of his daily life is my constant source of inspiration.