Veteran families struggle with offering and accepting help
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The high rate of veteran suicide in El Paso County recently led to the creation of the Next Chapter campaign, a pilot program funded by lawmakers in 2021.
It is a partnership among several agencies intended to reduce the rate by intervening before an obstacle becomes a mental crisis that can lead to dangerous or deadly behavior.
Related story: Next Chapter program connecting veterans with critical services
Unfortunately, offering a veteran help, and convincing them to accept it, can be a challenge.
The latest commercial filmed as part of the campaign addresses that exact issue.
It portrays a couple having breakfast at a restaurant, when a plate suddenly drops to the ground, generating a loud crashing sound that aggravates the husband’s PTSD.
The wife notices he is struggling and asks him if he’s ok.
Justin and Jessica Verhulst are the actors in the commercial, but the scenario is very real for them.
Justin did serve four years in Afghanistan, and like so many other veterans, when he left the military he struggled with the transition back to civilian life.
As servicemembers, they have a routine, a mission, and a purpose.
When they leave the military, that disappears.
“All of a sudden, it's just a blank slate,” explains Justin, “and then you're supposed to move on, and you get out, and ok, what's the next step? Now what?”
It can lead to depression and hopelessness.
Part of the message of this particular ad is that it’s ok for a spouse or any significant other or even a stranger to reach out.
“As a society now, we get too scared to like step out, and like talk to anybody,” says Jessica. “If you see somebody struggling, just step up and see like 'Hey, how was your day? Are you ok?'"
Ken Curtner, also a veteran, is the lead clinician for military affairs at UCHealth and is heavily involved in the Next Chapter campaign.
He agrees that asking the question can be a critical first step.
The next step is receiving it.
“So many times as veterans, we get stuck in this thought process of 'We help other people. We are the ones that help, we are not the ones that need help. If we need help, then we're a burden, but we're more than happy to help anybody else.' And so it's breaking that stigma and saying 'Hey, it's ok to get help,'” he says.
Justin did get help.
"It really is nice to have someone to talk to," he recalls.
Justin and Jessica hope their contribution to the Next Chapter campaign will help convince others to offer, and accept, the same help they did.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time related to their past or present military service, the Next Chapter program offers a range of services from counseling to job placement to financial assistance and more.
The website is nextchapterco.org, and the number is 1-888-719-VETS.
