Gold Star Families advocate for mental health resources

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Some Gold Star Families have buildings, schools, and streets named after their loved ones. However, they are now advocating for mental health assistance as well.

Mario G. Ybarra, a local military advocate, is leading the push. His father, Mario Ybarra, was killed in 1966 in the Vietnam War just shy of his first birthday.

Even though he could not understand as a child, the grief grew as he got older.

“I feel that no one is listening to us," Ybarra said. "When our hero passes we have the entire community come forward, but yet after the song of Taps, after the flowers have withered there is no one there to help us carry this burden of grief. It shouldn’t play out that way and be treated as second-class citizens."

Ybarra said he developed chronic depression and anxiety over the years. All leading to a suicide attempt while in college which made him decide to find help.

Lisa Sekula lost her son, Dustin Michael Sekula, in 2004 as the Iraq War was raging. For 18 years, she was an alcoholic and suffered from depression until she got help.

“This cannot happen to another Gold Star Family. It is a tragedy," she said. "We reached out for help and were not given that help. For some of us like myself, it's too late. I found help 18 years down the line, but I don’t want ever to see anybody go through that again.”

In 2022, Ybarra attempted to push legislation through the office of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez.

The policy nicknamed the "Forgotten Patriots Mental Health Crisis Act” never passed due to budget issues. Gonzalez acknowledged his work in the proposal.

Gonzalez said he is working to make sure all veterans and Gold Star Families have comprehensive healthcare.

His statement read, "Just like we uphold our promise to care for our veterans, we must do the same for our gold star families. As the son of a veteran, I understand that this title is an honor that comes with great pain. That is why I will continue to champion care for our veterans and their loved ones. From continuously calling for increased funding to our VA facilities, including the construction of a VA hospital in the Rio Grande Valley, and cosponsoring bills to ensure service members and their dependents receive three outpatient mental health visits per year — I won’t stop until we have comprehensive healthcare for our service members and gold star families in South Texas.”

Ybarra said there is new evidence to help their cause. In March 2022, Prolonged Grief Disorder was officially added to the DSM-5, which is the most comprehensive list of all mental illnesses that exist.

The mental disorder is officially classified as a set of symptoms following the death of a family member. Due to redistricting, he is now working with the office of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz to get something passed.

“It would be solely a mental health provision," he said. "We are not asking for all the other benefits. Just give us the benefit of being able to have full access to all-inclusive mental healthcare whether it be visiting the VA clinic or by way of a private doctor. Give us at least that benefit to be able to seek the help that we so desperately need.”

The local VA said several programs are in place locally where Gold Star Families can get some help through the McAllen Vet Center.