Several recent tragedies in the Des Moines area have been on my mind this week. Last Friday, a body was found in Water Work Park, later identified as Richard Miles, a Iraq War veteran who had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after three deployments. He had sought in-patient help at the VA hospital in Des Moines on February 15, but was sent home with medication. He disappeared two days later. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst has written to the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs seeking a federal investigation into Miles’ case and more generally the mental health programs of the Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System.

After the jump I’ve posted a list of mental health resources available to veterans, as well as a timeline and statement that Miles’ friends released this week.

Two girls who attended Urbandale Middle School committed suicide within a week of each other. One was 12 years old and in sixth grade; the other 14 years old and in eighth grade. Police haven’t found evidence of bullying in the first case and are investigating the second case. The sixth-grader’s father has urged parents “to monitor their children’s social media activity and for others to speak out if they see anything unusual on a friend’s account.” I’ve enclosed more of his comments below.

Child psychiatrist Dr. Donner Dewdney encourages parents to watch closely for sign of depression in their children, and to talk to teens specifically about alternatives to suicide.

Here are some resources and hotline numbers for Iowans of any age who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Many resources for children or teenagers who have experienced the death of a friend or close relative are available here and here.

This is an open thread: all topics welcome.

Resources available to veterans seeking mental health services in central Iowa:

In regards to Mental Health Services at large, and specifically at VA Central Iowa Health Care System:

·      1-800-273-8255 press “1” Veteran Crisis Line (VCL) available 24/7/365.  This line is staffed by VA employees who provide emotional support and mental health help, along with crisis intervention.

·      Text Veteran Crisis Line at  838255.  This text feature is staffed by VA employees who provide emotional support and mental health help, along with crisis intervention.

·      Confidential Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net allows Veteran to seek mental health help from VA staff and other Veterans.

·      The 1- 800-273-8255, text and chat room offer consults to the Veterans local suicide prevention program staff. VCL provides lifesaving rescues to Veteran at imminent risk.

·      Veterans may present to the emergency department to access emergent care.

·      Veterans can call 515-699-5807 to schedule an initial mental health evaluation to determine best care options for the Veteran.

·      If the Veteran is already receiving care at VA CIHCS they can work with their primary care provider to establish mental health services.

·      Mental Health Rehabilitative Residential Treatment Program offer an integrated approach to treating post-traumatic stress, substance used disorder, general mental health condition and issues involving homelessness and unemployment.  This is a 60 bed residential program.

·      VACIHCS has a wide continuum of outpatient mental and substance use services which includes weekend and evening hours of care.

·      VACIHS has an acute mental health 10 bed inpatient psychiatry unit.  When we reach capacity, we work with other VA facilities within our region, to get Veterans placed.  If all of those facilities are at capacity as well, we work with our private hospital partners, with this same level of care, to ensure our patients are being taken care of.

·      Veterans can also contact the Des Moines Vet Center (515-284-4929) or the Vet Center Combat Call Center (877-WAR-VETS).  The Call Center is available 24/7/365 and is staffed by combat Veterans from several eras as well as family members of combat Veterans.

Timeline and statement released by friends of Richard Miles:

Richard Miles Timeline of Events Saturday January 31:

Richard did not report to work for his usual shift as a program presenter at the Science Center of Iowa (SCI.)

Monday February 2:

SCI staff contacted DM Police to file a missing person report.

Monday February 9, at about 1 a.m.:

Richard contacted Katie Hopper (the mother of

Richard’s daughter)

and told her that he had been in California and was going to head back to Iowa

Monday, February 9 at 9:27 a.m.:

Harry Aller (a friend) sent Richard the following text,

“Richard, glad to hear you are ok. If you need anything, please know I am here for you. Just ask and I’ll be there.”

Monday, February 9 at 7:07 p.m.:

Harry Aller received the following text, “Thanks Harry. I know. I didn’t mean to get people worried. I just need to spend some time at the hospital to figure things out.”

Monday February 9 at 9:30 p.m.:

Richard called and let Katie know that he had left California and was in Nevada.

Wednesday February 11 at 7:15 a.m.:

Richard arrived at Katie’s house. He stayed with her through Tuesday February 17 at noon.

Sunday February 15 at about 6:30 p.m.:

Richard decided to go to the VA Hospital for inpatient treatment. He gave Katie his work keys and ID to return, as well as his apartment keys and a list of items he wanted Katie to get from his apartment for when he returned. He confirmed with Katie via text that he was at the VA Hospital and Katie drove by the VA to confirm that he was there.

Sunday February 15 at about 9:00 p.m.:

Richard came back to Katie’s home and said that the VA Hospital gave him medication (similar medication he had been given before) and said his psychiatrist would contact him to set up an appointment. Katie relayed that she thought Richard would be gone for days or even weeks and Richard said he thought so too, but that he had medication and it was a start.

Tuesday February 17 around noon:

Richard left Katie’s house.

He told their daughter he had some things he needed to take care of and that he would see her later. He told their daughter that he loved her and gave her a big hug. He told Katie’s mom

(who was watching their daughter at the time) goodbye and left. This was the last time anyone saw him. Katie and Richard shared a cell phone plan. Katie lost his phone signal at 630 p.m. that evening – meaning he either turned his phone off, or it lost power.

Friday February 20 at 3:36 p.m.:

A man walking his dog called police to report that there was a body found in the woods of Water Works Park in Des Moines Iowa. That body was the body of Richard Miles.

Statement from Friends of Richard Miles

Richard Miles was a warm, positive and service oriented person. He always sought to help others even if that help meant putting himself in harms way. Miles joined the army in 2002 and served through 2006. He was based out of Ft. Riley Kansas and had served as a sergeant, Squad Leader and Protocol Manager. Among other things Miles was responsible for running an office for the Chief of Staff. While serving our country Miles was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Leadership and Duty During Combat Operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq 2003-2004, the  Army Commendation Medal for Leadership in C Battery, 4/3 ADA, 1stBrigade, 1st ID, Fort Riley Kansas, 2002-2005. Miles was also awarded the U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal for Service from 2002-2005 and the Combat Action Badge for Combat Action seen during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2, 2003-2004. Miles suffered from PTSD as a result of his service to our country. He took the courageous step of seeking assistance, but that assistance could not be given to him at the time he needed it. We do not fault the staff at the VA Hospital for his inability to gain assistance, but we do feel that the system and the process that our veterans must go through is not efficient and does not allow assistance to be given at the time assistance is needed most.

“If somebody reaches out for help, they have to be able to get the help on the first try,” says Harry Aller. This is not unique to Richard Miles. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs 22 veterans a day commit suicide – once every 65 minutes. The national average wait time for mental health assistance from the VA is more than a month. Something must be done for our service men and women who sacrifice so much during their deployments, and clearly endure so much upon their return home. Most will remember Miles from his time at the Science Center of Iowa where he shared his love of physics, astronomy and other aspects of science with visitors from 1992-2002 and again shortly after he returned from service.

“Richard was not only a great educator and coworker, he was an amazing friend, the best partner to co-parent with and above all, a devoted and amazing father. He will be fiercely missed,” says Katie Hopper. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from many visitors to the Science Center – young and old – who have been touched by Richard’s sincere interest in every individual learning a little bit more about the world around them than they may have known before they visited the science center. We are hopeful that the curiosity and inquisition that is at the essence of the science Richard shared with so many will be used to help find ways to ensure that those that follow Richard, those who need assistance – can find a way to receive that assistance.

Comments from Gregory Mack, whose 12-year-old daughter ended her own life earlier this month:

“Nobody saw it coming at all, there was no signs of anything,” said Mack. “Not one sign mentally or physically.”

He searched for answers and discovered social media accounts he didn’t know existed.

“Some posts and memes that had to do with depression and nobody knew,” said Mack. “I had no idea she even had an Instagram. It concerns me that someone didn’t see it, we take it as just pictures but pictures are like words unspoken.”

It’s a shock he still can’t come to understand, and pain he is hoping no one else will have to experience.

“There were people watching her on Instagram that never said anything,” said Mack. “If anybody knows someone is going through something like that, tell someone right away.”

He’s asking parents to monitor their kids social media accounts, internet activity and cell phones.