SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER (KSLA) -
Local experts say mental illness plays a huge role in veteran homelessness. KSLA News 12's Summer Knowles talked to one ArkLaTex veteran that beat the odds.
Cliff Melone served in the U.S. Army for seven years and did two years of war. Melone says when he came home, he just wasn't the same. He says not only was did he end up homeless, he was also diagnosed with severe post traumatic stress disorder. "You know, I've done some things that will go to my grave with me. It was part of war, but it doesn't make it any easier," says Melone. " I had to drink a lot of alcohol just to sleep sometimes because I had nightmares."
Melone says he just woke up one day and decided it was time to go to the VA and the Hope House Outreach Center for help to begin his recovery.
Executive Director at the Hope House Crysta Pazzaglia hired Melone at the outreach center. "Having a stable reliable employee like Cliff is irreplaceable. "Veterans have a skill set that not everybody has and I think it's important to value that," says Pazzaglia. "Cliff has the understanding they need and can truly empathize with peoples situations."
Melone is now the manager at the Hope House. He is able to help the homeless, including veterans. "My line of work is therapy for me every day."
According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, about a third of all adults who are homeless in the U.S. are veterans. According to the Overton Brooks Veteran Affairs Medical Center, the Shreveport-Bossier area has roughly 400-500 homeless veterans and about half of them suffer from some level of PTSD.
If you are a veteran or know a veteran who needs help, whether physical or mental, call 318-222-8411.
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