A quiet but powerful wave is building across America, driven by states demanding action for a silent crisis: the soaring suicide rate among veterans. Nebraska recently became the fourteenth state to formally call on the federal government to address this tragedy, passing a unanimous resolution with surprisingly little national attention.
The resolution, LR293, isn’t just a symbolic gesture. It specifically urges Congress to ensure veterans have access to cutting-edge treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including a therapy gaining increasing recognition: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, dramatically increasing oxygen levels in the lungs – up to twelve times the normal amount. This isn’t a fringe treatment; it’s a scientifically-backed procedure with decades of research supporting its potential to heal.
Robert Beckman, co-founder of an organization dedicated to utilizing HBOT for brain injuries, paints a stark picture. He describes near-total reductions in suicidal thoughts and depression among patients, alongside significant improvements in memory, focus, and overall quality of life.
Beckman argues that current approaches – primarily medication and talk therapy – are failing to stem the tide of veteran suicides. He believes these methods often merely mask symptoms, while underlying brain wounds remain untreated and continue to fester.
The statistics are harrowing. An estimated 17.6 veterans take their lives each day, a number that continues to climb. Since 9/11, over 161,000 veterans have died by suicide – a figure dwarfing combat-related deaths by a factor of twenty-three.
Despite billions of dollars allocated to suicide prevention programs over the last decade, the results have been minimal. Beckman points to a staggering number – over 877,000 veterans currently living with undiagnosed or untreated brain injuries.
Nebraska, home to approximately 115,000 veterans, faces a significant financial burden from these untreated conditions. Over 20,000 veterans within the state alone are believed to be suffering from undiagnosed or untreated brain injuries.
While over 180 clinics nationwide offer HBOT, many even providing services at no cost, Beckman laments that the Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently denied access to this therapy and failed to inform veterans about its availability, despite being aware of its potential for over twenty-five years.
The call to action is clear: support legislation like Nebraska’s, and demand that Congress listen to the voices of veterans. Beckman believes that by becoming advocates for those who served, we can finally break through the bureaucratic barriers and provide the healing these heroes deserve.
