New federal laws seek to improve mental health care for veterans and their families. But advocates say it will take time for local communities to feel the effects.
In response to a string of suicides in the Air Force, every base is holding a one day stand down, where airmen can learn and talk about mental health issues.
Female veterans are nearly 2 1/2 times more likely than their civilian counterparts to kill themselves. Advocates say women's mental health challenges are different from those of men.
Memorial Day can be especially difficult for relatives of service members who died by suicide. They often feel stigmatized, even around other military families.
