ONCE A SOLDIER is a nonprofit, that helps family members after a soldier suicide.
The need for immediate financial and logistical support is bigger than you would think with 13-20 veteran suicides every day. ONCE A SOLIDER (OAS) steps in quickly guides survivors on how to apply for VA benefits, deal with funeral arrangements, cleaning up body fragments and other challenges. OAS is volunteer run and funded by donations. It works digitally which helps keep costs down and enables it to help families across the country.
Listen to this podcast on Digital Politics with Karen Jagoda with David Barbush, the founder and CEO of ONCE A SOLDIER about their mission and the impact they are making.
Postvention or Post-Suicide Checklist
ONCE A SOLDIER guide for what’s to come and help you find your way:
- Once you’ve discovered a suicide, call 911.
- Tell the coroner or medical examiner that he/she was a Veteran and if they suffered PTSD.
- Request that the body be held at the county/city morgue until you figure out your next move. They can and will hold a body for up to 2 months.
- Starting tracking down any life insurance policies.
- Contact the Veterans Administration Service Officer list below. Craig will advise you fully or direct you to your local officer.
Veterans Administration Benefit Information
How To Apply For Veteran Benefits. Apply Here
By mail: Apply by mail using an Application for Burial Benefits (VA Form 21P-530). Download VA Form 21P-530 (PDF)
Mail the application and other documents listed above to your nearest VA regional office. Find your nearest VA regional office
Call 800-827-1000 with questions. (Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET). TTY number for people with hearing impairments is 711.
Read more
- May 28th Memorial Day War Stories (Memorial Day, US war stories, veteran suicide)
- May 28th Memorial Day – A Short History (Memorial Day)
- May 6th Breaking the Stigma: How to Communicate and Write about Veteran Suicide (va suicide media guide best practices, veteran suicide)
- May 6th New Data Reveals Alarming Rise in Veteran Suicides in 2020 (veteran suicide)
- April 21st What Veterans Think of the Debt Ceiling Cut To Their Benefits (burn pit registration, va benefits cuts)
- April 10th Update on Progress Against Veteran Suicide in the USA (2017-2022) (veteran suicide)
- March 25th Fantasy Fiction About Overcoming PTSD With Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (veteran suicide)
- March 16th What States Have High Veteran Suicide – A New Look at the 2019 VA Report (veteran suicide)
TakeAway: Support ONCE A SOLDIER.
Deepak
DemLabs
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