U.S. soldiers have been fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for almost six years now. Throughout history others battled in similar fights. But the effect on soldiers after combat is a growing concern.

A report from the state department of health services says veterans make up 8% of Wisconsin’s population, but that small percent committed nearly 21% of suicides in the state. That has some reminding those veterans there is help out there.

The sounds of gunfire, bombs and shouting fill the air in war zones. And those sounds and sights take a heavy mental toll on soldiers fighting in them. Bob Burgess knows first hand what that's like.

“You take young kids, late teens and early 20's, they're seeing stuff that when I came back I wished nobody would ever see again. The person you knew before he went to war isn't the same coming back," Vietnam War veteran Bob Burgess said.

A new study says Wisconsin veterans are more likely to commit suicide than the general population.

“Unfortunately these guys do what they do. They come back and they just can't handle life no more," he said.

Burgess says it's the flashbacks that get to many soldiers after they try to return to their once normal lives.

“I might be driving down the road and I see a scenery, something that flashes back to when I was in Vietnam," Burgess said.

He says talking about his experience is what helped him adjust.

“Now I understand, and know what it is and know it's not my fault. I was just following orders," he said.

Mental social worker Dan McCann says there are warning signs for veteran's who need help.

“Isolation is a key issue. A lot of substance abuse can be a warning sign," McCann said.

He says the most important thing is to get veteran's help as soon as possible.

“It takes the courage and the strength of a warrior to ask for help," he said.

There are a lot of clinics offered for veteran's who need help in cities including Chippewa Falls, Rice Lake and Hayward. VA social workers say they're willing to go anywhere, anytime to talk to veterans about their needs, benefits and anything else on their minds.

There is also a veterans suicide hotline vets can call if they need to talk. That number is 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).