skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

CT mental-health pros seek ways to reduce veteran suicides

play audio
Play

Thursday, February 22, 2024   

Connecticut and U.S. mental health professionals are working to address suicide among military veterans.

Research shows a 95% increase in veteran suicides nationally between 2001 and 2020, peaking in 2018. In Connecticut, recent data is trending lower than previous years.

Experts say social isolation in the COVID pandemic was responsible for some of the nationwide increase.

Dr. Joshua Bullock, a psychologist for the Department of Veterans Affairs of Connecticut, said difficult individual experiences can take their toll as well.

"Oftentimes, PTSD can kind of lead to sometimes a sense of alienation from others, difficulty kind of feeling safe in the world," Bullock explained. "You can imagine, sort of living day-to-day feels unsafe if one is perceiving threats or danger."

Along with programs at area hospitals, Bullock pointed to psychosocial work as an important step in helping veterans adjust to life after deployment. The Department of Veterans Affairs has federal grants available for community-based suicide prevention efforts.

Anyone in crisis or having suicidal thoughts can call 988, then press '1' for the Veterans Crisis Line.

Challenges persist to accessing care, including a lack of mental health professionals in many areas, as well as personal and social attitudes about accepting this care.

Bullock acknowledged misconceptions about veterans' mental health linger, particularly that their lives are devoid of hope.

"What I've learned about veterans who are experiencing these challenges and struggles, from working with them for pretty much my entire career, is that they're amazingly resilient," Bullock emphasized. "Many of these veterans experience significant recovery from mental illness; live meaningful, valued lives."

Bullock noted peer specialists -- veterans who have received treatment -- are helping newcomers understand the importance of getting help when they need it.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Vice President Kamala Harris focused on reproductive rights at a campaign event in Michigan Wednesday. Her remarks come as President Joe Biden has …


Environment

play sound

Construction could begin in Minnesota later this year in the final phase of one of the nation's largest solar energy developments, after state …

Social Issues

play sound

Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…


The Illinois State Board of Education report card said O'Fallon Township High School HSD #203 is currently only funded at 64%. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Kristy Alpert for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Colla…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise, in Connecticut and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills …

"Arizonans understand that it is insane to risk Phoenix or Tempe for Odesa or some corn field in Ukraine. It is not in our national interest to get involved," said U.S. Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Ariz. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

Social Issues

play sound

More than 2,400 delegates gathered in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention and delegates from around the country, including …

Environment

play sound

So far, states like Wisconsin have largely escaped the worst of the summer heat affecting much of the nation but a group of scientists wants regional …

Social Issues

play sound

Postsecondary enrollment data for 2023 shows community college enrollment increased nationwide by more than 100,000 students, and a large percentage …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021