THE PROBLEM
20 veterans + 1 active duty a day – commit suicide, almost 1 per hour.
Female veterans commit suicide at 2.5 times the rate as male veterans and 6 times that of their civilian counterparts.
In 2016, suicide rate was 1.5 times greater for veterans than for non- veteran adults.
The number of suicides in the special operations community increased by 3 times JUST LAST YEAR.
The year is coming up where those who enlisted after 9/11 are retiring, and so things will get worse by large margins.
Statistics show that funds raised by charities benefitting veterans are dramatically decreasing.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US, and suicide prevention is the VA’s highest priority.
Good organizations have made important advances, particularly in risk identification and crisis intervention – but unless people WANT help, they won’t SEEK help.
Veterans rarely self-identify as veterans – then, even fewer self-identify as having mental health issues – and even fewer self-identify as being at risk for suicide. In fact, it’s usually the ones you would never expect… because they don’t talk about it. They just plan it.
Click on the link below to read the detailed VA reports