Veteran mental health becoming an issue

TOPEKA (AP) — Soldiers in Kansas can get free hunting and fishing licenses and extra time to pay their taxes when they’re deployed. The state will even give their families $1,000 to help them through rough financial times.

But after several years of enacting laws to help soldiers, veterans and their families, legislators and other state officials are turning their attention to the long-term mental health of veterans who’ve survived combat and are still struggling with its effects.

“There is a real concern that we’re going to have another generation of homeless veterans on the street corners,” said Chuck Ingoglio of the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare.

But like their counterparts across the nation, Rep. Lee Tafanelli said, Kansas legislators are still trying to figure out just how big the state’s safety nets will have to be. The Ozawkie Republican, a Kansas National Guard colonel, spent a year in Iraq commanding an engineer battalion.

“I think the state has made every effort to try to come up with new ways and new funding for veterans, veterans programs and families,” he said. “New challenges are emerging that just didn’t exist at the front end, and we need to transition into looking more long term.”

While Ingoglio said it’s good states are trying to help military personnel, veterans and their families, their programs so far have been “gap fillers.”

“The primary responsibility for the related health care services does fall to the Veterans Administration,” Ingoglio said.

In Kansas, state officials have started planning a counseling and support center for soldiers and their families and an expansion of mental health services. Their discussions include National Guard and Fort Riley leaders.

“There are going to be significant issues that were probably not dealt with terribly effectively in prior engagements,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said. “We’re going to have soldiers and Guardsmen who have been deployed two and three times, which present a whole series of issues that haven’t been there in the past.”

Terry Howell, an analyst with Military.com, said state responses thus far range from comprehensive programs to “a Laurel and Hardy handshake” to support veterans dealing with the effects of war.

“It’s hard to put things in general terms because it’s hit and miss. Some have done virtually nothing at all,” Howell said. “In the long run, states are trying to do what’s left over.”

Kansas’ efforts include passage in 2005 of the Military Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain benefits and preferences to veterans and their families.

There’s also the Kansas Military Emergency Relief Fund, providing up to $1,000 to soldiers get through rough financial times, based on need.

“That has really has been invaluable to some families that have unexpected medical bills or calamity,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, state adjutant.

One recipient was Spc. Brenda Holdren.

Last May, her car and home were flooded in southwest Topeka. She and her son, Brendan, were rescued by boat. Holdren received $1,000 to get her car fixed and pay for cleaning supplies.

“You never know when an emergency is going to hit. It helped me start going again, which was wonderful,” said Holdren, who is also is getting help from the Guard in paying her college tuition.

Other recent laws grant extensions for soldiers who are deployed to pay their taxes and register their vehicles, or help soldiers and their spouses in finding jobs. There are also more symbolic gestures, such as free hunting and fishing licenses and special consideration for Fort Riley soldiers during the annual draw for elk hunting permits.

Similar measures have been introduced and passed in other states. They’ve been responses to the 9/11 attacks or an efforts to look military-friendly ahead of the federal government’s decisions in 2005 to shutter military installations.

“I really do think the additional mission of having people deployed kind of raised the whole issue,” Sebelius said. “That’s not to say that governors didn’t pay attention, but at least it wasn’t on the radar screen quite the way this was.”

Howell said Kansas is among a few states offering health care benefits and is a leader in providing vocational rehabilitation training for disabled soldiers.

But some legislators worry some veterans aren’t taking advantage of the help because they don’t know about it.

Rep. L. Candy Ruff, ranking Democrat on the House Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee, said Kansas should establish rural outreach programs and work with local health departments to determine where veterans should go to get the most care.

Howell added: “Sometimes those who need it worst don’t get the help. Unless they are pushed this information they aren’t going to get it.”

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Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org

Governor’s office: http://www.governor.ks.gov