Veteran Suicide Is An Epidemic — Here’s What You Can Do To Help

AUTHOR: SHANNON ARGUETA MAY 24, 2014 1:23 PM

There is an epidemic of suicides in the military. This is what our government is doing to help and how the rest of us can lend a hand.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us again. The beaches will be packed. The smell of hotdogs and hamburgers will fill the air. Children and adults are looking forward to the three day weekend with glee. On Monday many of us will bow our heads and have a moment of silence for the men and women of our armed forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

However, there are thousands of fallen troops who many will forget to honor on Monday. The ones who were taken from us, not by enemy forces, but by their own hands.

What are the numbers?

• Twenty-Two: the estimated number of veterans who commit suicide every day.
• Three hundred and fifty: the number of active-duty military members who killed themselves in 2012.
• Eight hundred and forty-one: the number of active duty troops who attempted suicide one or more times in 2012.
• Eight thousand: the estimated number of troops who die by their own hand each year and that is a low estimate.

What is being done to stop this frightening trend?

In 2011, the Department of Defense established the Defense Suicide Prevention Office to combat the rise in deaths. The organization’s mission is:

“Serve as the DoD oversight authority for the strategic development, implementation, centralization, standardization, communication, and evaluation of DoD suicide and risk reduction programs, policies, and surveillance activities to reduce the impact of suicide on Service members and their families.”

All branches of the military have implemented programs to encourage at risk troops to get help. The VA  has also broadened their services to meet the needs of veterans. There is financial a nd relationship counselling for troops and their spouses, Public service announcements on tv and the radio, specific therapy for those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, immediate crisis intervention, and an array of other services.

Is it enough?

While the implementation of the various programs have helped a little bit, it’s not enough. In 2012, there were 22.7 suicides per 100,000. That number dropped to 19.1 per 100,000 in 2013 according to the Pentagon. That is still significantly higher than the 12.1 per 100,000 civilian suicides.

A large part of the problem is the stigma that is still attached to mental health issues in the military. Many times victims feel ashamed to admit they are having difficulty. Some think it’s a sign of weakness.

While researching this article, I asked an active-duty soldier in the Army, if he has noticed a change and he said,”if the military is changing things, I haven’t noticed it.”

That clearly demonstrates more steps must be taken. But the government can’t do it alone. We must all help before more lives are lost in this war we have at home.

So on this Memorial Day weekend take the time and acknowledge our vets who took their own lives. Also, if you think someone may be suffering from PTSD or other mental illness, reach out to them. Encourage them to get help.

Here is a list of resources:

Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Military One Source: 1-800-342-9647

Wounded Soldier And Family Hotline: 1-800-984-8523