Stopping veteran suicides: (Newsweek) —Suicide is more prevalent among U.S. veterans compared to the general population, due to their exposure to combat-related trauma and their inability to access treatment once they return home. However, community groups and veteran organizations are developing a variety of intervention strategies.
The numbers are alarming.
According to the American Psychological Association, military veterans are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than non-veterans, and suicide remains the second leading cause of mortality for veterans under the age of 45.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, resources, or someone to speak to, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website or dial 988 and press 1 for veterans. People are available around-the-clock.
Click here for more information on the resources available to veterans and the organizations that contributed to NewsNation’s coverage.
Consequently, some states observe September 22 as Veteran Suicide Awareness Day, a reference to the approximately 22 veterans who commit suicide daily. Due to the complexity of the issue of suicide, numerous organizations have emerged to assist veterans and their loved ones in learning how to cope, recover, and recognize warning signs.
Candice Kreis and her Vietnam veteran father began traversing veteran health and mental health care systems in 2016.
As vice president of Journey to the Light Ministries and a military counselor at Church Health Services, she currently assists veterans throughout Wisconsin with navigating the system. Her organizations connect veterans with those attempting to aid them, fostering a level of trust with providers that a straightforward referral may not.
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“Sometimes when making that phone call, (veterans) simply say, ‘I’ll do it,’ and the task is put on hold,” Kreis said. “It’s about establishing a warm transfer, a rapport with the client, and walking with them as their advocate.”
According to the most recent data made available by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran suicide fatalities increased by more than 13% between 2001 and 2018, then decreased by nearly 10% by 2020. However, statistics are meaningless for those who have lost loved ones.
Recently, a member of VFW Post 7227 in Carthage, New York, passed away.
Janice Gravely, the post’s chaplain and a member of the North County Veteran and Service Member Suicide Prevention Coalition, stated, “It took everyone by surprise because we believed we were doing the right things within the community.” “And sometimes you just don’t know what that breaking point is.”
There is no singular solution — physical illness, mental health, reintegration into civilian life, and difficulties in accessing care are just a few of the issues they face.
Depending on the branch, approximately 31% of service members suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Over one in ten veterans in the United States has been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder.
Ralph Bozella, a Vietnam combat veteran and commander of American Legion Post 32 in Longmont, Colorado, said, “Like many of us, I was drafted in 1970 and wrenched from my life.” “Five months later, you’re engaged in combat. It is a life-altering event.”
Like many others, returning home was a challenge for Bozella.
“Returning from all of that was the most difficult part of my life,” he said. “I had PTSD, and I felt like an outcast.”
According to Jessica Del Rio, manager of the Veteran Suicide Prevention Program at the Texas Veterans Commission, veterans may not want to pose difficult questions of one another.
Del Rio stated, “For instance, I believed that every veteran could receive benefits from the VA and assistance from the VA, among other things, but I’m learning that this is not the case.”
The American Legion introduced a “comradeship campaign” in March 2019 to encourage posts to reach out to local veterans and inquire about what they required from the organization.
As veterans became increasingly isolated during the pandemic, the program persisted, and now posts across the nation use what has since evolved into the Buddy Check Program.
Bozella, a former chairman of the American Legion National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, stated, “We’re not counselors, so we’re not professionals, but we do want to stay in touch with each other.”
Buddy Check teams can contact local veterans and their families via phone, email, text message, and in-person visits to ensure that their requirements are met.
In addition, the Legion has launched the Be The One campaign, a nationwide initiative to reduce the stigma associated with the discussion.
Dr. Blake Harris, a clinical forensic psychologist, focuses on rural counties with limited Veterans Affairs facilities.
He collaborates with county-level organizations, local VFWs, and American Legions to identify suicide warning signs and take appropriate action.
“We know people in the military may be more likely to go to a chaplain than they would be to a mental health professional,” Harris said. “Therefore, (we’re) embracing all of these opportunities and striving to ensure that there are no dead ends.”
Knowing what to search for is also essential, according to Bozella. Not everyone is forthcoming about their difficulties, and “everything’s really tough” is sometimes a cry for assistance. According to him, breakups, divorce, job loss, despondency, behavioral changes, and giving away possessions are all red flags.
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