TEXAS, USA — A Nevada family is thanking the Central Texas community for its help and support in finding their missing loved one.
6 News reported a 35-year-old veteran was missing in Waco, but he has since been found as of March 28. 6 News was told by a family friend that the 35-year-old was an at-risk veteran who had a history of mental health conditions. He had reportedly been sent to Waco from Reno, NV.
The missing person report created chatter amongst the community on what resources are available to help veterans in crisis or who are struggling with their mental health.
6 News reached out to Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, which connected us to Veterans One Stop in Waco. Allyson Afinowicz, one of the qualified mental health professionals and case managers at Veterans One Stop, said she sees many veterans locally with different situations and levels of mental health illness.
"It can be on a lower side where a veteran is managing and coping with, whether it's PTSD, anxiety or depression," Afinowicz explained. "Or it can be very severe where a veteran is not handling life whatsoever in our community."
Afinowicz works to learn veterans' needs and provides resources to help them in whatever battle they might be facing. Afinowicz and the team at Veterans One Stop also has counselors available and are able to provide coping skills to veterans, too.
Afinowicz also said the community's support of veterans and knowledge about how to help them can be helpful through a veteran's transition, and when seconds matter the most.
"If you have someone that you care about that is a veteran, do research to support them, make sure that they know their resources because at any point in time, they might need that," Afinowicz added.
6 News also reached out to Combined Arms, a veteran nonprofit that also serves as the state provider of the Texas Veterans Network (TVN). TVN uniquely brings agencies, nonprofit organizations and other resources to provide holistic support to service members, veterans, military family members, gold-star families and caregivers.
John Smith, the Southeast Texas Regional Manager for TVN, said when it comes to veterans and mental health -- there is tons of support and resources for it, but it's hard for many to overcome the stigma.
"When you join the military, they train you to be 10 foot tall and bulletproof, so there is a pride issue there," Smith explained. "It does take some convincing, but typically that convincing comes from fellow veterans to say 'Maybe you need a professional to talk to' or there's peer support. It really comes down to the friends and family and supporters to be that advocate for that individual as they are transitioning into becoming a civilian again, because that's really the hard part."
Working at the TVN, Smith is able to see what the needs of the veteran community are and how many connections are being made because of mental health matters. Something that has recently stuck out to him is that women veteran suicide is reportedly on the rise.
"The VA has released their veterans suicide annual report and women veteran suicide is on the rise," Smith said. "Women veterans aren't immune to the types of issues that male veterans face when exiting the military."
For veterans who are struggling with mental illness, Smith recommended the Veterans Wellness Alliance, which was created in Texas by the George Bush Institute.
"It's a network of the best in class intensive inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities that focus on PTSD, extreme mental health and brain health issues and it's 100 percent free for the veteran to go to these facilities," Smith said.
Smith told 6 News that 80 percent of veteran issues are basic human need issues and sometimes the best solution or aid for a veteran is having someone often checking in on them, not just on designated holidays.
"Our veterans are veterans 365 days of the year," Smith said. "Memorial Day to remember those ones that passed, Veterans Day celebrations for those ones that are still here, but just remember that some of those battles are still happening every day."
Smith said oftentimes, veterans can relate better to other veterans. That's why the Buddy Check Day is in place. It is on the 11th of each month.
If you are a veteran and you or someone you know are struggling, call 9-8-8 to reach the Veteran Crisis Line.