>The real problem lies not only with the distance to the help, but with the help itself. The VA is not known for their great healthcare especially mental health programs. That is improving though and in many cases now the government will send the individual to private practices. In other cases they are retained on active duty and get help through the active duty military hospital system which is much better. It is not universal though and the biggest problem is more that the individuals who are effected don't recognize it and seek help.

I've just had one of these moments when the obvious strikes me. Why are there two health systems for the same population? Woudln't it be more efficient (and less costly) to have the former soldiers (marines, sailors, airpersons, whatever) and the active ones use the same system? Which would then have only one administration, one set of rules, one of each, not two.