According to a VA study made public this weekend, an estimated 22 veterans commit suicide in the United States each day.

The report claims it's in part because of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans not getting the help they need. Eyewitness News found out what's being done locally to make sure soldiers get help the moment they return.

USMC Staff Sgt. Kellis White, a Vietnam vet, didn't know he had PTSD until 40 years after the war.

"I started having flashbacks, I saw a guy on fire running around in my trailer," said White.

This weekend, renowned sniper Chris Kyle was shot and killed at a Texas shooting range, allegedly by a Marine he was helping recover from the disorder.

"You can shut a lot away and put it back, in the back of your mind and think you're dealing with it, but it's still there. And it will come out eventually," said White.

Now the VA plans to use its study tracking veteran suicide numbers to strengthen prevention efforts and make sure they get the help they need. In Charlotte, the Mecklenburg veteran services division is partnered with community organizations that provide counseling for veterans to reconnect them to regular life. One of their main clients is Charlotte Bridge Home.

"They actually do what their name implies. They bridge the gap for a veteran coming back from war to moving back into the community," said Veteran Services Director Jim Prosser.

White got help by joining a Marine Corps league. He been in therapy for 10 years. He also meets with a psychiatrist and a group of veterans regularly.

"I've been in therapy, I've been on medication, I've went into a six-week in-house program at the VA in Salisbury," said White.

The Veterans Affairs report says 70 percent of veteran suicides are vets older than 50.

"I think it's because it's been so long that they've been struggling that I think at point they feel there's no more help for them," said White

Now White dedicates his time to helping others. He says what service members see in combat is something they can't erase, but they can learn to cope with.

In its report, the VA used data from 2010, the most recent year available. It also found military makeup a slightly smaller percentage of overall suicides than in the past due to an increase in general suicides across the country.

If you need help with PTSD you can visit Charlotte Bridge home at http://www.charlottebridgehome.org/.