Katie Bagosy wants the military to remove the stigma surrounding mental health care and so do I. There was alot of stigma when I was in the Navy for six years. I am a female veteran who requested psychiatric care in service. I was told that I was just "upset" because I had broken up with my boyfriend. Everybody knew not to go to the psych docs because it would put a mark on your record. I left the Navy during a Major Depressive Crisis (nervous breakdown) and am now on disability for life for panic attacks, PTSD, and major depression. I was raped in the Navy, but that was another example of "don't ask, don't tell" and it was men who raped me. I am not gay. Everyone on the base knew about it, but it was somehow a "secret." Everyone knew the men who did it and nobody thought anything about it. Nothing was done, I thought it was my fault for being in that situation. But it wasn't. When I was in the Navy, women servicemembers were either whores or lesbians according to the men.

Sgt Tom Bagosy had received a major brain trauma, he obviously did not receive the care he needed. Some antidepressants, such as Zoloft, can actually make patients more suicidal. It did that to me. The VA gave me Zoloft for a few years and I attempted suicide 3 times while on that drug. I finally found an antidepressant that works after many different trials of meds, but it is not on the VA formulary and I do not go to the VA now. I can imagine the suffering that Sgt. Bagosy went through and it did not have to happen. I am so sad that he didn't get the care he needed. My condolences to his family and friends and may he rest in peace under God's loving care. He truly gave his life for his country. God Bless.