Right To Treat: Veterans' Healthcare Access and Treatment Education Initiative

Executive Summary

Veterans suffering from PTSD and related disorders face an unprecedented mental health crisis. Conservative estimates indicate over 30,000 post-9/11 veterans have died by suicide—more than four times the number killed in combat operations. Current treatment paradigms have failed to address this crisis adequately, with traditional approaches showing limited success in reducing suicide rates despite widespread implementation.

The Right To Treat initiative focuses on education and awareness to ensure veterans understand the full spectrum of effective mental health treatments, including integrative, alternative, and emerging therapies. We advocate for increased public awareness about medical freedom and systemic barriers to honor the dignity and sacrifice of those who served through expanded access to personalized, comprehensive care.

The Crisis: Understanding the Scope and Scale

The numbers tell a devastating story. When Thomas Howard Suitt III analyzed veteran suicide data for his groundbreaking 2021 study, he uncovered a crisis that dwarfs combat casualties. His research revealed that an estimated 30,177 active duty service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars have died by suicide—significantly more than the 7,057 service members killed in Global War on Terror operations.

The VA's official count shows approximately 6,364 veteran suicides per year between 2005 and 2018, leading to a total estimated 95,460 veteran suicides between 2005 and the present day. The often-cited figure of 22 veterans per day has been revised downward to 17 per day due to methodology changes, specifically the VA's decision to only count federally activated veterans, excluding many National Guard and Reserve members.

Post-9/11 veterans face particularly alarming rates. Despite representing only 3.764 million veterans—just 21 percent of all veterans in the United States today—their suicide rates far exceed those of previous generations. For post-9/11 veterans aged 18-34, the suicide rate reached 45.9 per 100,000 in 2018, approximately 2.5 times the rate of the adjusted general population.

The discrepancies between different estimates arise from several factors. Definitional changes have significantly impacted counts, as the VA now excludes many National Guard and Reserve members who weren't federally activated. Tracking inconsistencies plague the system, with different agencies using different methodologies and timeframes. Underreporting remains problematic, as many veteran suicides may not be identified as veteran-related in official records.

What matters most is the consistent pattern showing veterans dying by suicide at rates significantly higher than the general population. This represents a need for enhanced education and awareness about available treatment options and systemic barriers that prevent access to comprehensive care.

Building a Coalition for Education and Awareness

Creating meaningful change requires understanding who needs to be part of the solution. The veteran suicide crisis affects multiple communities, each bringing unique perspectives, resources, and motivations to educational efforts.

Veterans and military families form the heart of any effective coalition. Post-9/11 veterans experiencing treatment-resistant PTSD know firsthand the limitations of current care. Families who have lost loved ones to suicide carry both profound grief and powerful motivation for raising awareness about systemic problems. Active-duty service members watching their treatments fail need information about alternatives.

Healthcare providers represent another crucial constituency who can benefit from education about current limitations. Psychiatrists and psychologists treating veterans often feel constrained by regulatory barriers that prevent them from offering potentially effective treatments. Alternative and integrative medicine practitioners possess expertise in treatments that could help veterans, but which face obstacles in providing care within the current system. Researchers studying innovative treatments see promising results that translate slowly, if at all, into clinical practice.

Veterans service organizations bring established networks and deep commitment to veteran welfare. Organizations like Victory For Veterans, VALOR Clinic Foundation, DAV, and VFW have existing relationships with veterans and proven capabilities for raising awareness. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America represents younger veterans most affected by the current crisis.

Research and academic institutions provide the evidence base necessary for credible educational efforts. Universities conducting PTSD research generate data supporting alternative treatments but struggle to translate findings into practice. Medical schools with veteran treatment programs train the next generation of providers who could implement expanded treatment options.

Building an effective coalition requires avoiding the trap of top-heavy organizational structures that stifle grassroots energy. Instead, the Right To Treat initiative embraces decentralized models where regional partners maintain autonomy while sharing resources and coordinating on specific educational initiatives. This approach allows organizations to engage at their comfort level rather than demanding wholesale commitment to every aspect of the awareness agenda.

The most effective structure centers around issue-based coordination, focusing on specific educational goals rather than organizational hierarchy. This coalition model, anchored by Help 22's Veterans' Right to Treat as an umbrella organization, provides coordination without control while allowing regional partners to continue their essential work.

Current Treatment Limitations and System Barriers

The standard approach to treating veteran PTSD has remained remarkably static despite mounting evidence of its inadequacy. The VA's primary treatment protocol relies heavily on antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, combined with various forms of cognitive behavioral therapy and group therapy sessions. When these approaches fail, the system often responds with crisis intervention and hospitalization rather than exploring alternative treatment modalities.

This one-size-fits-all approach ignores the fundamental reality that different veterans respond to different treatments. Veterans face significant access barriers including long wait times, geographic limitations, and bureaucratic hurdles that delay or prevent treatment entirely. Perhaps most troubling, many veterans simply don't respond to conventional approaches, leaving them with few options within the current system.

These treatment limitations are perpetuated by a regulatory framework that creates multiple layers of barriers preventing veterans from accessing potentially life-saving treatments. The FDA's lengthy approval process requires years-long trials even for promising treatments, reflecting a risk-averse culture that prioritizes avoiding potential harm over helping patients access potentially life-saving treatments. The expensive approval process effectively limits smaller treatment developers who might bring innovative approaches to market.

VA implementation creates additional barriers through bureaucratic processes that slow adoption of even FDA-approved treatments. Budget constraints limit funding for non-traditional therapies, while lack of staff trained in alternative approaches creates capacity problems. Liability concerns drive preference for standard treatments over potentially more effective alternatives, even when those alternatives have strong safety profiles and superior outcomes for specific patients.

TRICARE limitations compound these problems through formulary restrictions that exclude many effective treatments and prior authorization requirements that delay access even to approved therapies. Limited coverage for alternative therapies means veterans must often pay out of pocket for treatments that might be more effective than covered alternatives. The lack of appropriate CPT codes prevents billing for many alternative therapies, creating financial barriers for both providers and patients.

State-level obstacles further complicate access through professional licensing laws that restrict scope of practice and may not recognize alternative treatment approaches. Continuing education requirements often fail to include training on innovative treatments, leaving providers unprepared to offer expanded options. Cross-state practice limitations prevent veterans from accessing specialized providers in other states, particularly problematic in rural areas with limited local resources.

Insurance regulations at the state level may not recognize alternative therapies, making reimbursement difficult or impossible. Coverage mandates typically don't include comprehensive mental health options, leaving significant gaps in available treatments. Reimbursement rate limitations discourage provider participation in alternative treatment modalities. Private insurers typically follow VA and Medicare coverage decisions, meaning limitations in government programs cascade throughout the healthcare system.

The existing Right-to-Try framework provides a model for expanding access but currently falls short of addressing veteran needs. The federal Right-to-Try law, passed in 2018, allows terminally ill patients access to experimental therapies that have completed Phase I trials. However, PTSD typically isn't considered "terminally ill" despite its deadly consequences. State Right-to-Try laws, enacted in 41 states, vary significantly in scope and implementation. Most exclude mental health conditions from coverage, creating a significant gap for veterans suffering from PTSD and related disorders.

These systemic problems create a treatment environment where veterans must often "fail" multiple conventional treatments before accessing potentially more effective alternatives. This barrier-first approach not only delays recovery but may worsen outcomes by subjecting veterans to treatments likely to fail while withholding treatments more likely to succeed. The result is a system that prioritizes administrative convenience over veteran welfare, contributing directly to the ongoing suicide crisis.

The Full Spectrum of Treatment Options*

Veterans deserve access to information about key treatments that might help them heal, not just those that fit within current bureaucratic constraints. The Right To Treat initiative recognizes that effective PTSD treatment extends beyond traditional approaches, encompassing specific FDA-approved advanced therapies and evidence-based treatments that show remarkable promise.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) TMS represents a breakthrough approach that uses magnetic pulses to reactivate underactive brain regions. Multiple scientific studies have proven its efficacy, yet veterans currently must "fail" multiple antidepressant trials before accessing these treatments. This barrier-first approach defies medical logic and denies veterans potentially effective treatment when they could benefit most. TMS offers similar benefits with fewer side effects than many conventional treatments, using low-intensity magnetic signals to target brain areas involved in executive function and emotional regulation.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) EMDR has proven effective for healing trauma and other distressing experiences. Veterans diagnosed with major depression, PTSD, or anxiety disorders should have access to information about EMDR and its documented benefits. The therapy's effectiveness stems from its ability to help process traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation, allowing veterans to integrate difficult experiences rather than remaining trapped by them. This evidence-based psychotherapy extends treatment options beyond medication-focused approaches.

Esketamine and Ketamine IV Treatments Ketamine IV treatments offer another powerful tool in the fight against veteran suicide. These treatments' ability to stop suicidal thinking has been well-documented in numerous scientific studies. Esketamine, available as a nasal spray, already has FDA approval for treating major depression. Veterans experiencing suicidal thinking should have access to information about these treatments and their potential benefits. Both forms of ketamine therapy have shown rapid-acting effects for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, potentially leading to increased oxygen levels in the blood and brain. This treatment may improve neuroplasticity, reduce inflammation, and enhance brain function. Growing research supports HBOT's effectiveness for treatment-resistant PTSD, particularly among veterans dealing with traumatic brain injuries common in post-9/11 conflicts. This emerging therapy represents hope for veterans who haven't responded to conventional approaches.

Public Education and Awareness Strategy

The Right To Treat initiative's educational approach focuses on raising awareness about treatment options and systemic barriers while empowering veterans and families to make informed healthcare decisions. This comprehensive strategy addresses multiple audiences through targeted messaging and diverse communication channels.

Educational programming should focus on informing veterans about treatment options beyond conventional approaches. Workshops and seminars can provide detailed information about alternative therapies, their evidence base, and potential benefits. Online resources offer accessible information for veterans who may not be able to attend in-person events. Educational materials should include treatment comparison guides that help veterans understand different options and their documented outcomes.

Healthcare provider education represents another crucial component, as many providers lack training in alternative approaches despite their potential effectiveness. Continuing education programs can introduce providers to evidence-based alternative therapies while addressing integration challenges within current practice settings. Professional conferences and symposiums provide forums for sharing research and best practices among healthcare professionals treating veterans.

Family and caregiver education ensures that support systems understand available options and can advocate effectively for their loved ones. Educational programs should address how families can support veterans exploring different treatment approaches while navigating system barriers. Resource guides can help families understand insurance coverage, provider networks, and advocacy processes.

Research dissemination efforts should translate academic findings into accessible information for veterans, families, and providers. Policy briefs can summarize research findings for decision-makers while fact sheets provide quick reference materials for advocates. Case studies and success stories can illustrate potential benefits of alternative approaches while maintaining appropriate privacy protections.

Media engagement expands awareness beyond traditional veteran networks through strategic communication efforts. Op-ed articles in newspapers and magazines can reach broader audiences while establishing credibility for reform efforts. Social media campaigns can share information widely while building online communities of veterans and advocates. Documentary and video content can personalize the veteran mental health crisis while showcasing promising treatment approaches.

Economic Impact Analysis

The current approach to veteran mental health care represents significant economic costs alongside human tragedy. Direct costs include $2.3 billion annually for veteran mental health services that often fail to achieve desired outcomes. PTSD-related disability compensation costs $15.8 billion annually, much of which could be reduced through more effective treatments. Crisis intervention and hospitalization consume $847 million annually, largely representing failures of preventive care.

Indirect costs multiply the economic impact through lost productivity totaling $6.2 billion annually, as veterans struggle with untreated or inadequately treated conditions. The VA's FY 2021 budget allocated $10.2 billion specifically for veteran suicide prevention, representing a 7 percent increase over 2020, yet suicide rates continue to climb despite these substantial investments. Additional costs include family support services and social services utilization as veterans and families seek help outside the healthcare system.

The total annual cost represents resources that could be redirected toward more effective treatments while improving veteran outcomes. This figure doesn't include the broader social costs of veteran suicide, family dissolution, homelessness, and other consequences of inadequate mental health care.

Alternative approaches offer significant potential savings alongside improved outcomes. Reduced hospitalization rates could decrease crisis admissions by 35-45%, saving hundreds of millions annually while indicating improved veteran stability. Lower medication costs, averaging $2,400 per veteran annually, reflect both reduced pharmaceutical expenses and improved treatment effectiveness. Improved functional outcomes could reduce disability claims by 25%, saving billions while indicating successful recovery.

Educational initiatives that improve treatment selection and outcomes represent excellent investments. Training and certification programs requiring initial investment would create the provider capacity needed for expanded treatment options. Research and education funding would accelerate treatment innovation while building evidence for broader adoption. Public awareness campaigns would help veterans and families make informed decisions about treatment options.

Conservative estimates suggest significant return on educational investment through reduced crisis interventions and improved veteran functioning. This calculation considers only direct healthcare savings and doesn't include broader economic benefits from increased veteran productivity, reduced family support needs, and decreased social services utilization.

Implementation: From Education to Impact

Transforming veteran mental health outcomes through the Right To Treat initiative requires careful planning and phased implementation that builds awareness while maintaining quality and safety standards. The approach should balance urgency with sustainability, ensuring that educational efforts create lasting change rather than temporary improvements.

The foundation-building phase should establish the organizational infrastructure needed for sustained educational efforts. Coalition development centered around Help 22's Veterans' Right to Treat as an umbrella organization would provide coordination without creating bureaucratic overhead. Recruiting key veterans organizations and healthcare providers builds the expertise and credibility necessary for effective education.

Public education campaigns should highlight the veteran suicide crisis while showcasing promising alternative treatments. Media engagement through op-eds and educational briefs creates broader awareness while positioning the coalition as a credible voice for veteran healthcare education.

Stakeholder engagement involves presenting findings to healthcare providers, veterans organizations, and community leaders about treatment options and system barriers. Organizing veteran testimony and family stories personalizes the issue while demonstrating broad support for expanded awareness among those most affected by current policies.

The education expansion phase focuses on broader outreach through educational programming. Workshop development should begin early to ensure quality educational content. Developing educational materials for various audiences provides resources for ongoing awareness efforts. Preparing training programs for healthcare providers ensures adequate knowledge for expanded treatment discussions.

Effective education requires robust evaluation mechanisms tracking awareness levels among veterans about treatment options, provider knowledge of alternative therapies, and family understanding of advocacy processes. Annual reports should include educational outcome measures while independent evaluation by educational assessment organizations brings rigor to evaluation efforts.

Conclusion

The crisis facing America's veterans demands comprehensive education and awareness efforts to ensure those who served understand all available treatment options. The statistics are undeniable: over 30,000 post-9/11 veterans have died by suicide, a number that continues to grow daily despite billions spent on conventional treatments that have demonstrably failed to stem the tide of veteran deaths.

The Right To Treat initiative has outlined a comprehensive educational path forward centered on awareness and access to information about the full spectrum of effective treatments. The alternative therapies documented here offer genuine hope for veterans who have exhausted conventional options, from FDA-approved treatments like TMS and ketamine to innovative approaches like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and neurofeedback.

The system barriers preventing access to these treatments represent policy choices that can be addressed through increased public awareness and education. Educational action can raise awareness about discriminatory coverage restrictions, highlight approval process challenges for veteran-specific treatments, and inform veterans about existing protections for those with treatment-resistant conditions.

The coalition framework presented here provides a practical model for achieving these educational goals through coordinated action that respects organizational autonomy while maximizing collective impact. By avoiding top-heavy structures and emphasizing grassroots leadership, this approach can sustain momentum through the inevitable challenges of system reform.

The economic analysis demonstrates that comprehensive education represents fiscal responsibility as well as moral imperative. Current spending approaches $27 billion annually with inadequate results, while educational initiatives offer significant potential return on investment alongside dramatically improved veteran outcomes.

Most importantly, the Right To Treat initiative is ultimately about honoring the service and sacrifice of America's veterans by ensuring they have access to information about every treatment that might help them heal. The warriors who answered their nation's call to serve deserve nothing less than access to comprehensive information about every tool that might help them successfully complete their most important mission: returning to productive, fulfilling civilian lives.

The choice before us is clear. We can continue with limited information that sentences veterans to suffer with inadequate treatments, or we can embrace the Right To Treat initiative's vision of comprehensive education and awareness that recognizes veterans' right to understand their path to healing options.

The veterans have done their duty. Now it's time for us to do ours. The path forward is clear, the educational tools are available, and the moral imperative is undeniable. What remains is the commitment to raise awareness and see educational reform through to completion.

The time for excuses has ended. The time for education and awareness is now. The veterans are counting on us.

* This section includes four promising treatments for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding dementia risk factors, prevention strategies, or any health concerns.

Works Cited

Suitt, T. H. (2021). High suicide rates among United States service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars. Costs of War Project, Brown University. Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2020). 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2021). FY 2021 Budget Submission - Budget in Brief. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/budget/docs/summary/fy2021VAbudgetInBrief.pdf