AUSTIN, Texas - The nation's wars may be winding down, but many returning veterans are still fighting for their lives.

Suicide and mental-illness rates are skyrocketing, and those who left the service on bad terms are missing out on standard benefits - just when they need them most. An estimated one in five recent veterans suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, but the diagnosis often comes after a soldier's less-than-honorable discharge.

Pfc. Ryan Angell, 25, faced combat in Iraq during his 3 1/2 years in the Army. He was let go for misconduct, and later diagnosed with PTSD. He lives in Jasper now and is finding it hard to get back on his feet.

"Health care's a big one. As soon as I got out, they canceled my insurance. I tried applying for unemployment; didn't receive a dime. I've been denied my VA home loan, my post-9/11 GI Bill to go to school on - everything."

Angell contacted the nonprofit Texas Legal Services Center's veterans' assistance program, which is helping him apply for a discharge upgrade - from dishonorable to medical. Janet Totter, a retired naval officer and the program's managing attorney, says the upgrade process is long and complicated.

"There's a tremendous burden on the veteran to prove that the military didn't get it right, and that the conduct really was associated with undiagnosed PTSD, or undiagnosed traumatic brain injury, or some other medical condition."

Totter says the length of those wars, with an unprecedented number of redeployments, is one reason the emotional toll on veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq has been so high.

The Army has made efforts to consider PTSD when it sees behavioral problems, but Totter thinks no military branch is equipped - or adequately funded - to handle the illness appropriately. Troops with physical injuries are treated and returned to active duty if possible, she says, but with psychological injuries, a quick separation is easier and cheaper - making them "throw-away soldiers."

"We are not giving purple hearts to combat veterans who have PTSD even though the PTSD was a result of the combat. We say, 'Yeah, we're concerned about them,' but we don't honor their service the same."

Besides the loss of benefits, she says, a bad discharge can stigmatize a veteran for life.

Angell believes his PTSD was triggered by an attack on his convoy in 2009. His superiors indicated he would be commended for helping rescue survivors, but he soon found himself in trouble instead - for fighting and substance abuse. While he didn't recognize the symptoms at the time, he thinks the military should have.

"They put all the money into the soldier to go to war, and then when they got a broken soldier, they don't want to put the money back in to make him a real soldier again. They need you, and it's all good, but once they don't need you they kick you to the curb."

The Texas Legal Services Center has a free hotline for low-income veterans at 1-800-622-2520. More informaiton is online at tlsc.org.


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The 2024 Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Public Conference kicks off Saturday, where industry experts and researchers will share the latest scientific developments and ongoing advances to fight Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

David Coon, director of the Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging at Arizona State University, will lead the conference.

Coon said experts continue to see growing numbers of people developing dementia in the Grand Canyon State, which also means increased demand for care from family and friends.

"The reality is we're still facing this," he said, "and we're facing it also with a growing number of people living alone with cognitive decline, and that is very important for us to recognize as well."

It's a growing public health crisis in Arizona, according to the Alzheimer's Association. An estimated 152,000 people 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease in the state.

Coon said increasing awareness about the disease is critical to not only diminish stigma but also plan for the future.

Saturday's event is free and will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memorial Union on ASU's Tempe campus. Coon said a panel of experts will share information about treatment options, but also the resources and support systems available across the state.

He added that it is critical for people not to wait until a crisis strikes, and that the sooner patients know their cognitive-health status, the better they can have a voice in their own preferences for care.

"How you get assistance, who's engaged, and I think that is really important for you to be, in part, in the driver's seat," he said, "and similarly, for somebody that's going to help you along that way to have those conservations."

Coon called Saturday's event a "family affair," and encouraged anyone impacted by dementia or Alzheimer's to bring family and friends to learn more. Topics will range from new drug treatments to reducing the risk of Alzheimer's with exercise, as well as resources for caregivers.

A new report showed a significant decrease in suicidal ideation, planning and attempts on college campuses around the nation, as well as improved levels of those suffering from anxiety and depression.

The nonprofit Jed Foundation analyzed a decade's worth of data from higher ed institutions participating in their JED Campus program. It provides colleges and universities with resources and guidance to protecting and improving student mental health.

Michelle Mullen, senior vice president and chief design and impact officer for the foundation, said in Utah, 16 institutions took part in the program.

"We work them collaboratively to be able to identify what is already strong and the ways in which we can strengthen it," Mullen explained. "Are there critical pieces that may be missing to be able to enhance mental-health and suicide prevention on campus?"

With more than 18 million students attending colleges and universities every year, Mullen pointed out academic institutions are at the forefront of bringing mental health services to young adults. Her message to academic institutions is to not wait to implement what she calls a "comprehensive approach to mental health."

The group has a list of recommendations, including preventive practices, guidelines for treatment of people at risk of suicide as well as effective postvention efforts.

Mullen noted mental health challenges have risen significantly among young people and contended it is not a surprise when you take into account the multiple stresses and challenges younger adults face, such as what she calls "today's comparison culture," brought on by social media, mass shootings, race and faith-based harassment and threats as well as decreasing protections for LGBTQ+ youths.

"The amazing thing is that we are now seeing results that are coming out of our reports, is that this group is incredibly resilient," Mullen observed. "With the right support and structure, then they do better on campus. So there is hope and there is something we can do."

Mullen added if you or someone you know is struggling, the first step is to reach out to a friend, a family member or a professional for help. She said one can also call 988 to receive free and confidential support for those in distress.


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Alzheimer's disease is the eighth-leading cause of death in Pennsylvania.

A documentary on the topic debuts Saturday in Pittsburgh. "Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community" features individuals and families who are dealing with memory loss.

C. Nathaniel Brown, founder and CEO of Expected End Entertainment and a former Pittsburgh resident, said his aunt lives with dementia, which sparked his interest in talking with others to find out more about the disease and how it affects communities of color.

"The first thing I found out was that there are over 100 types of dementia," Brown noted. "And the more I learned, the more I realized how much it was impacting the African American community disproportionately. We're twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or some other progressive type of dementia."

The film will be shown at the Carnegie Library in Homewood, from Noon to 3 p.m. ET. It is free, but registration is required. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than half of Black Americans believe major declines in memory and cognitive function are simply a normal part of aging, rather than symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia.

Brown added after the screening, there will be a question-and-answer session and community organizations will be there to provide resources.

"Allegheny County Health Department will be present, the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's disease Research Center will be there," Brown outlined. "The Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania organization will be there, as well as several people who were interviewed for the film, including counselors, professionals."

He mentioned the documentary features the late Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. Brown said Gossett emphasized the importance of leaving a legacy by educating people about living with Alzheimer's, steps to take after diagnosis, and preventive measures.


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