In the past decade, suicide has become an epidemic plaguing the military and veteran community, with upwards of 20 suicides a day by veterans, service members, Guard Members and Reservists. To play a role in combatting this crisis, Mad in America has launched the Veterans, Service Members & Military Families Initiative, under the editorship of Amanda Burrill, to help the community become better educated and to assist service members, veterans and their families to identify alternatives to the dominant drug-based model of mental health. If you have queries about this page please get in touch with Amanda.
Editor's Corner

The risks and harms of psychiatric medications on the military and veteran population must be addressed. This MIA page is dedicated to sharing accounts of navigating healthcare and the challenges therein, identifying holes in the system, and providing knowledge on resources and alternative therapies to those who wish to make informed decisions.
The holistic approach to healing that’s drastically improved my life requires time and attention. Modern medicine rarely spares these resources, opting instead to medicate symptoms rather than identify their underlying causes. This band-aid approach is a dangerous holding pattern, not a solution, to those who want to thrive.
Through a great deal of self-advocacy, I took the offensive in my health. As I began to publicly discuss parts of my story it became clear: My struggle to get my health needs met was no outlier. Let’s join in raising our voices and sharing our experiences. In doing so, we stand to help our brothers and sisters, often unaware they’re being underserved. I’m honored to facilitate impactful content that aids and inspires others in gaining a sense of agency. Contact me and join our Facebook group.
How I Became Boo Radley: Surviving College, Suicide, and Psychiatry
The Persistent, Misdirected Search for Causes of Trauma-based Suffering
Paula J. Caplan – Listen to a Veteran
An Open Letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie: A Plan for Deprescribing Veteran Suicides
David Joslin – Remedy Alpine, Giving Veterans the Power to Seek Personal Discovery
Amanda Burrill: Self-Advocacy and Self-Belief – Escaping Psychiatric Drugs
From the Archives
Support This Initiative
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On Suicide
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion have begun to seek answers as to the role of antidepressant medications in causing suicides of service members, veterans and their families. Check back soon to learn more about what they are working on to save the lives of those within this community.
For more info on suicide and antidepressants, see MIA report on Suicide in the Age of Prozac.
Resources
In-depth reviews of antipsychotics and antidepressants; non-drug therapies for anxiety, depression and PTSD; and withdrawal resources, includes a directory of providers who will support people who want to taper from psychiatric medications. The Parents section provides similar reviews of treatments for children and adolescents.
In addition, you can access our archival reports of findings about psychiatric drugs that have been published in peer-reviewed journals.