What’s the point of going to treatment if you’ve essentially been dealt a death sentence? That’s the way some veterans feel about a potential PTSD diagnosis. Another thing holding people back? The fear that their trauma isn’t bad enough. So how do you admit you need help? And where do you turn when you’re ready? This week we’re joined by Jason Kander who served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan, Tara Consolino, Director of Suicide Prevention and Substance Use Disorders at the Detroit V.A., and Rajeev Ramchand, a psychiatric epidemiologist with the RAND Corporation, to talk about what happens when your symptoms don’t look like the ones in the movies. 

Season 2 of Last Day is created in partnership with The Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults. You can find tips, tools and resources for taking care of your emotional health available at: www.jedcares.org/lastday

Resources from the episode:

• Keep up with the Veterans Community Project’s initiatives for homeless veterans.
• Listen to Jason’s weekly podcast, Majority 54, to better learn how to have a civil and productive conversation about the most divisive issues.
• To learn more about recommendations for reporting on suicide, visit https://reportingonsuicide.org/.

If you or a veteran you know are struggling, dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. You can also text 838255 or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net. 

You can also contact one of the resources below for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor anytime. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text line: Text “Connect” to 741-741

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

To follow along with a transcript and/or take notes for friends and family, go to https://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/last-day shortly after the air date.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.