Illinois veterans help to decrease record number of military suicides

VIENNA, Ill. ? Former Army Specialist Joshua Schiff knows some of the toughest battles aren't fought overseas, but here at home.

"A lot of these guys coming home man, it's a real struggle," he said.

He said he isn't surprised by the 116 Army suicides reported so far this year, but he is astonished at the lack of help his fellow service members receive when they return. "Those numbers are alarming numbers. I think everyone needs to take notice if something like that happens," Schiff said.

Last December he started 'Boots2Suits,' a Vienna, Illinois non-profit group aiming to ease the transition from military to civilian life. The Department of Defense reports more military men and women are applying for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD assistance, and Schiff knows our area needs the help.

"That's something that we do - offer free PTSD counseling. We've got licensed professional, clinical counseling here," he said.

'Boots2Suits' also helps returning or retiring military members with health benefits, job placement and college financial aid. So far this year, Schiff's managed to give 30 people guidance on how to live a normal, productive life. And he's hoping to assist many others if they are willing, he said, to open up and ask for help.

"I think it's a war against people feeling like they can't come out and talk. People feeling they can't say something about what's going on they can't go find help because they feel it's going to ruin their record or make them look bad. They eventually make a permanent decision to a temporary problem," Schiff said.

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Source: http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/Illinois-veterans-help-to-decrease-record-number-of-military-suicides-166586566.html

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