Military suicides are at their highest in 10 years, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
A 22-year-old Marine Corps veteran from Bakersfield, who battled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, was remembered today, after recently taking his own life.
The U.S. Surgeon General says, since 2000, over 200-thousand servicemen and women from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq were diagnosed with PTSD with veterans day tomorrow we can also remember the mental sacrifice these soliders make.
"I went to boot camp in fort little Missouri then i was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, then went to Iraq, then back to Texas, then i got out," said U.S. Army veteran Alex Escalante. "Just because you made it home doesn't mean everything is okay. Unfortunately, you bring a lot back with you."
Escalante said he brought back memories that keep him up at night.
"It's nightmares from Iraq. It has to do with combat. The things that I saw, the things that I went through over there, I have dreams about that and a lot of trouble sleeping because of it. It's like the cliché. It haunts you."
Escalante is one of many veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
"I believe that the last quote was 18-percent of those that go into combat, or are exposed, develop post traumatic stress, of different levels," said Director of Bakersfield Vet Center Joe Acosta.
Dick Taylor, Director of Veteran Services, said every veteran is affected by war.
"Battles are horrific, and the exposure to combat takes it's toll, and whether or not somebody thinks they can get through it unscathed, that's simply untrue. It affects everyone in some fashion," Taylor said.
Hope remains, however. Acosta says PTSD can be reduced with different treatments.
"Talk therapy is one of the most effective, efficient therapies of all. When you talk about the traumatic event, it no longer scares you or alarms you," Taylor said.
Taylor said immediate assistance is a phone call away. He advised veterans who are seeking help to call the 24-hour Veteran Crisis Line at 800-273-8255.
A 22-year-old Marine Corps veteran from Bakersfield, who battled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, was remembered today, after recently taking his own life.
The U.S. Surgeon General says, since 2000, over 200-thousand servicemen and women from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq were diagnosed with PTSD with veterans day tomorrow we can also remember the mental sacrifice these soliders make.
"I went to boot camp in fort little Missouri then i was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, then went to Iraq, then back to Texas, then i got out," said U.S. Army veteran Alex Escalante. "Just because you made it home doesn't mean everything is okay. Unfortunately, you bring a lot back with you."
Escalante said he brought back memories that keep him up at night.
"It's nightmares from Iraq. It has to do with combat. The things that I saw, the things that I went through over there, I have dreams about that and a lot of trouble sleeping because of it. It's like the cliché. It haunts you."
Escalante is one of many veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
"I believe that the last quote was 18-percent of those that go into combat, or are exposed, develop post traumatic stress, of different levels," said Director of Bakersfield Vet Center Joe Acosta.
Dick Taylor, Director of Veteran Services, said every veteran is affected by war.
"Battles are horrific, and the exposure to combat takes it's toll, and whether or not somebody thinks they can get through it unscathed, that's simply untrue. It affects everyone in some fashion," Taylor said.
Hope remains, however. Acosta says PTSD can be reduced with different treatments.
"Talk therapy is one of the most effective, efficient therapies of all. When you talk about the traumatic event, it no longer scares you or alarms you," Taylor said.
Taylor said immediate assistance is a phone call away. He advised veterans who are seeking help to call the 24-hour Veteran Crisis Line at 800-273-8255.