Large Veterans Community In NW Coping with Serious Challenges

Julio Bernal (C), with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, along with Claire Lawless, (R) with IAVA, place American flags on the National Mall Thursday, March 27, 2014 in Washington D.C. The flags represent each of the 1,892 veterans and servicemembers who has died by suicide this year during the "We've Got Your Back: IAVA's Campaign to Combat Suicide. IAVA is calling for Congress to pass a bill that combats suicide. Photo Ken Cedeno (Photo by Ken Cedeno/Corbis via Getty Images)

PORTLAND, Ore.– This is the day we honor veterans, including more than 700,000 in Oregon and Washington. A local woman’s describing how the community is trying to help veterans struggling with severe mental health challenges such as PTSD and suicide.

Portland VA mental health counselor, Christina O’Brian personally knows a lot about the challenges and sacrifices of military life. “My paternal grandfather served 32 years in the Air Force. He was a lieutenant colonel and lived all over the country, even spending four years in Japan. My uncle spent 10 years in the Army serving two tours in Afghanistan and my stepbrother is currently serving in the Coast Guard. I am the wife of a former nuclear submariner officer in the Navy.” She experienced the long hours, long deployments.
“It seemed very overwhelming.”Now she’s active in a local task force to prevent veterans’ suicides. “ I’ve been in this role for about two years. And I’ve just seen amazing things happen. I’ve seen social events happen where people can feel like they have a space in the community. I’ve seen people create safety plans with one another and make sure that in a time of crisis they have some place to go. Things like the task force are so vital to make sure that we’re focusing on veterans and we’re not letting them slip through the cracks.”

Sheila Balbin supervises Multnomah County’s veteran services and care programs with about 38,000 veterans in her county alone. “There are approximately 17. 9 million veterans in the United States.”

She knows many veterans are struggling. “5.27 million veterans on disability. 13% of veterans experience homelessness. 80% of veterans experiencing homelessness also live with a mental illness.”

Her reasons for dedicating her career to helping veterans lean back to her own upbringing.
“I am the daughter of a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief.”

She says her work connects people who served with V.A. pension, disability, and health benefits. “In 2024, the team secured more than $6. 5 million in retroactive benefits for veterans and surviving spouses. My program Veteran Directed Care, it’s designed to provide veterans who meet the nursing care level of needs live safely and maintain their independence in their home.”

Sports News