As part of the annual Veterans Day celebrations, Illinois State University On Monday, he hosted a panel discussion focused largely on mental health impacts on those serving in the military.

Gathered in the Bone Student Center Prairie Room, panel members included veterans, immediate family members of veterans, ISU student veterans, and ISU faculty members familiar with military and mental health work.

Military science professor Steve Krippel Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) introduced the panelists and asked questions, many of which focused on veterans’ mental health and suicide rates.

“It is estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide every day, or approximately 8,000 veterans per year,” Krippel said.

Alex Doup, an ISU Counseling Services staff psychologist who studies suicides among veterans over age 50, said there are usually a number of contributing factors.

“There may be a period or period of adjustment similar to what we see with individuals leaving the service and adjusting to different roles and identities,” Doup said. “That said, I think there are a number of different stressors that occur at different stages throughout life.

Jess Ray, Normal County supervisor and retired ISU director of veterans and military services, spoke about veteran suicides, focusing specifically on Vietnam veterans.

“One of the things I hear a lot of veterans say is, ‘That thing (help and/or counseling) is there for someone else; they need it more than I do,’ Ray said. “The culture, at least in my experience in the military, is, you suck it up buttercup and you can be on your way.”

Ray also served as an infantryman and sergeant in the Illinois National Guard and noted that he saw veterans struggle to ask for help.

“In the past, if you asked for help, it could have affected your security clearance or promotion opportunities,” Ray said. “I think the challenge is getting the information to people so they know there are resources out there, and then figuring out what they need to do to encourage people to take advantage of those resources.”

ISU psychology professor Eric Wesselmann suggested ways to detect symptoms of mental health problems among veterans.

“Social connection, or on the other hand, isolation — the feeling of alienation — appears to be an important determinant of post-traumatic stress symptoms,” Wesselmann said, adding that one way civilians can make a difference is by acknowledging the sacrifice veterans have made. We were able to establish a sense of connection.

Ray expressed his gratitude to those making a difference in the Bloomington-Normal community.

“We have people participating who are really trying to make a difference in the community,” Ray said. “Those of us who have served have let us know that even if they don’t understand, we do in fact care.

Former Lt. Col. Eric Murray shared the kinds of conversations veterans often like to have with civilians about their experiences.

“Asking a simple question like, ‘Tell me a funny story about them,’ because what they want to do is share how they live,” Murray said. “This is the best way to capture their character.”