After the Vietnam War we began to recognize that some soldiers returned from war with serious mental health issues. Homelessness among Vietnam vets was and is a tragic consequence of so many of those soldiers not getting the treatment they need and so richly deserve. Our society often minimizes mental health issues, but as we mature in our understanding of these problems, we are taking more responsibility for treating them.  Mental health problems rarely resolve without the intervention of professionals, and those with serious mental health issues are often the least able to advocate for themselves.

The Iraq War has created another generation of vets with similar, and sometimes worse, issues. Why worse? Because medical care in the field has improved so much that many soldier who would have died in previous wars are surviving traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs, and other extremely life-changing traumas. Many of these soldiers come home and have to fight for proper care and treatment. It is indeed one of the most shameful aspects of our society that we do not put every dime we can into helping the men and women who have chosen to defend our country.  We spend more energy fighting taxes than we do fighting for the rights of our brave soldiers to have compassionate care no matter what the issue.

The groundbreaking in Montana for a state-of-the-art mental health center for Veteran’s is a bright shining example of what we need to do for our military veterans.

“By doing this, we’ll be taking a few important steps in fulfilling the promises made to Montana’s and America’s veterans,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana). “Access to quality health care, no matter where you live, is important.”

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg and Tester (a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs) have all introduced and passed legislation this past year to improve the long-term needs of returning troops.

Currently Montana veterans needing inpatient psychological care for post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse or depression must travel to Idaho, Wyoming or North Dakota.

Dr. Rosa Merino, chief of behavioral health with the VA Montana Health Care System, said the risk for chronic PTSD increases greatly with the intensity and length of combat.

“The stress of combat and the stress of living with the potential threat of harm or death can leave permanent scars,” Merino said. “Recovery doesn’t erase the trauma. It just makes it easier to deal with.”

The center will be open 24/7 to offer services and support to vets and their families.

“Unlike veterans who returned from Vietnam with no answers, all veterans can turn to the VA with an expectation to receive answers, to receive treatment and to receive support,” Merino said.

The multimillion-dollar project will be managed by Ammon Grant, an Iraq veteran. Grant  praised the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Initiative for helping companies like his win jobs and hire vets to complete them.