Ending the stigma: Helping serve veterans during PTSD Awareness Month

The month of June serves as a call for awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder throughout the country and that support is extending to those suffering in Young County through local efforts.

Young County Veterans Service Officer Adam LaVine said PTSD is the second leading cause of death for veterans aged 18-44 and the fourth leading cause for those aged 45-54. He said there are 17.6 veteran suicides per day across the country, with action needed to support those suffering.

“June is PTSD Awareness Month and mental health in general,” LaVine said. “It is great to put a spotlight on it so that those that suffer in silence or suffer by themselves know that they are supported and not alone and that there’s help and there’s people that care about them.”

One of the efforts coordinated by LaVine was a visit from the Mobile Vet Center of Abilene for the Food Truck Championship of Texas held Saturday, June 7.

“What made me really want to do this is I have a personal connection with PTSD and mental health awareness. Whether it be just transition without the PTSD part or even suffering with PTSD in general, there’s a giant stigma around it and it needs to be broken down,” LaVine said.

The Mobile Vet Center provides space for confidential counseling and is used to provide outreach to eligible individuals in communities distant from existing services, such as rural areas.

“They’re designed for rural America. It’s a huge segue so that way our county veterans, our rural veterans, can get the mental health support and the help that they need. And not even just for the veterans, it’s for the spouses (and) it’s for the kids. It’s a wonderful tool,” LaVine said.

The truck was located away from the main food truck event on the downtown square at the corner of Oak Street and Second Street. The truck was gauging the veteran’s need in the area for a future visit with counselors. 

“I can feel very confident in saying that five to six of the veterans that come into my office (in Young County), whether it be for disability, pension, or just general healthcare needs, they’re asking me, ‘Hey what can I do for mental health? I need help. My wife needs help. My kids need help.’ It affects the whole unit,” LaVine said.

Since making a post about the local efforts for the month of June on social media only a week prior, LaVine has seen veterans from Young County and out of county reach out to see how they or a family member could receive assistance. 

Alongside LaVine and Veterans Outreach Program Specialist at Abilene Vet Center John Draper, were members of the American Legion Post 34 supporting the efforts of the Vet Center during the food truck event.

The national American Legion organization has been promoting their Be The One initiative to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. The initiative is to help lessen the stigma associated with mental health treatment and empower those to take action when they are at risk.

The organization is hoping to train 100,000 individuals in suicide prevention by the end of 2025, with free training from Columbia University Lighthouse Project available at legion.org/advocacy/be-the-one.

The American Legion offers no-cost assistance to veterans and their families for VA disability benefits applications and education and employment resources, with no membership required. 

Another effort by the American Legion organization is a Buddy Check where Legionnaires reach out to veterans in their communities who need a connection and assistance. 

A local buddy check in coordination with LaVine and the American Legion Post 34 is being held throughout the month of June. 

Every Saturday in June from 4-6 p.m., with the support of Burger N Billiards, there will be a weekly Buddy Check at the restaurant located at 1222 Hwy. 16 South in Graham.

“Just again, to make sure that they know that they’re supported, people care about them. It doesn’t have to be a full-on counseling session. It’s just a matter of comradery and bringing us together,” LaVine said. “…And they won’t have to worry about their meal. We have paired with the American Legion Post 34 and everyone will eat free.”

LaVine can be contacted via his cell phone at 314-584-9722, or by email at a.lavine@youngcounty.org. The veterans service office for Young County is located at the Young County Annex at 417 Second St. in Graham.