article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in Ted Air Force uniform) said Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) was thinking suicidal thoughts because Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) was struggling to deal with the loss of Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) wife Karen, (left with Ted) who passed away six months ago .
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) said that Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) has battled with severe depression since Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) wife (Karen, right) passed away and wanted someone to talk to on Saturday night .
article_snippet.sent: The loss of Karen (pictured) was devastating to Ted (right in his Air Force uniform).
article_snippet.sent: On Saturday, Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) admitted to suffering an emotional breakdown. '
article_snippet.sent: I was missing my wife Karen,' Ted (right in his Air Force uniform)
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) says
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) needed help. '
article_snippet.sent: I went to the only place that I knew and that I had available to me, the VA,' said Ted (right in his Air Force uniform).
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) made to the James Haley VA Center in Tampa ended in a recorded message giving Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) the 800 number hotline.
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) claims
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) was then put on hold for 10 minutes. '
article_snippet.sent: I had to sit there patiently, in emotional distress, in tears, wanting to give up, desperately needing someone to talk to,' said Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) to ABC Action News.
article_snippet.sent: Much loved: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) has assured Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) friends and family that Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) will get through the death of my wife Karen (pictured) and has asked his friends and family not to worry .
article_snippet.sent: Frustrated, Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) said Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) hung up and redialled two more times. '
article_snippet.sent: his friends and family had me on the verge of saying to hell with it,' Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) said.
article_snippet.sent: Damningly, Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) claims that when Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) finally got hold of a counselor, his friends and family were of little help.
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform).
article_snippet.sent: However, following national attention, Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) claims Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) was phoned by the VA who wanted to speak to Ted (right in his Air Force uniform).
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) took to Facebook on Tuesday and wrote that the two phone calls Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) had with the VA who wanted to speak to him were a mixed bag. '
article_snippet.sent: Another from the the VA who wanted to speak to him crisis hotline headquarters,' wrote Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) to Facebook. '
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) ended up getting upset at he because by the end I felt that Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) was just doing Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) job
article_snippet.sent: and I didn't feel any compassion in that Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) only called me because Ted (right in his Air Force uniform)
article_snippet.sent: superior told Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) to contact me. '
article_snippet.sent: Ted (right in his Air Force uniform) was the very reason I was reluctant to seek 'professional' help for so long. '