An estimated 22 U.S. Veterans committee suicide each day. That means about 1,892 veterans have died this year due to suicide.
A 27 March the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) will place a spot light on this problem. Volunteers will place 1,892 flags on the National Mall in to honor these fallen.
We at HealingTheWoundsOfWar.com and the Hope and Restoration Team (HART) are grateful for the IAVA efforts to combat suicide. Go to StormTheHill.org to learn more. Let’s put an end to suicide!
If you believe someone is considering suicide, is it OK to ask: “Are you thinking about committing suicide?” or other direct questions? This is one of the questions addressed in this episode.
Hopelessness seems to be overtaking an increasing number of people–veterans and civilians alike. This is showing up in an ever increasing suicide rate. We will discuss this difficult topic and look at some practical ways of addressing this issue. There is hope! We can take action.
Let’s get right into today’s topic: Suicide
– About 12 (to 14) per 100,000 death are from Suicide in the U.S. (CDC report from 2009)
The loss from any to suicide is tragic. However in the U.S. more men than women and more whites than any other ethnic group commit suicide.
White males most affected – Second leading cause of death ages 10-24. The largest single teen group affected, 19 out of every 100 death, boys (white) ages 15-19.
People from all ethnicities, genders and age groups are increasingly losing hope and increasingly deciding to end their own lives. Why the increase? Let us know what you think in the comments section or leave us a voice message.
4 practical arts to become part of the solution…
Learn:
Attend a seminar or class on suicide intervention such as:
Look: for any of the warring sings (and many others) listed above. Has your friend, coworker, child, spouse, gone through a major change? Not every one that is depress or gone through a loss will commit suicide.
Listen: Listen for any warning sings. Are they talking about death, dying, “going away” or any permanent change that raises any red flag?
Lead then to safety and to help.
Doctor, psychologist, ER, ASIST trained cooworker, police, first responders,…
Don’t ignore or dismiss the sings
Don’t leave them alone
Don’t be afraid to ask the question: “Are you planning/or going to commit suicide?”
No, they were not killed by a terrible natural disaster. They were not killed in tragic accidents. They were not killed in combat or in the line of duty. They were veterans that took their own lives!
According to a 2012 Veterans Administration report 22 veterans committed suicide each day. This is an alarming number of suicides considering the small segment of the population. This number is almost double that for all U.S. military killed in Iraq, 4,486 (2003-2012).
Active duty service members are also taking their own lives in alarming numbers. This despite the ever increasing mental health resources deployed and available throughout the services.
U.S. veterans are not only at risk. According to a BBC report, more British Soldiers took their own lives then were killed in combat in Afghanistan during the same time period.
The CDC reports that the U.S. civilian population suicide rate has steadily increased from 1999-2010. The greatest increase is in the age range 50-64. (About a 49% increase).
The veteran population has a suicide rate roughly double that of the general population! For Veterans 30 per 100,000 people; for the civilian population: 14 per 100,000.
There is a lot of speculation as to why the rates are increasing in both the civilian population and veterans. Some researchers think that the breakdown in community and an increased sense of isolation—yes, even in this electronic age—is contributing to the increase.
The Huffington post article points out in the 1980-90’s the military had a significantly lower rates in divorce, drug abuse and suicide then the civilian population. At that time, the report says, military communities were much tighter.
During my service (2002-2010) I saw a significant decline in the social community of the military. I am sure the war efforts contributed to this decline. Perhaps people withdrawing and hiding behind technology contributed as well.
This decline in esprit de corps is not the key factor that has led to the alarming increase in suicide among service members, veterans and civilians. It may play a role or be a symptom. It is a complex topic that is affecting an increasing number of people.
In the military, most that commit suicide are already receiving care for mental health. The military and VA have increased access to care significantly over the last decade—but the numbers keep climbing. They are also climbing in the civilian world.
There are mixed reports connecting PTSD and suicide. But there seems to be a general consensus that this is a contributing factor. In our next podcast we will address this specific issue.
What do you think?
What can we do to start reversing these numbers among civilian, military and veterans?
Join the conversation!
Need help! This is a list of crisis lines for several countries:
– Of course our website: HealingTheWoundsOfWar.com
Leave a comment or a voice message
Name, where you are calling from and a brief message or question (Please only question per message, but as many questions as you like.)
– Our community Talk line: 253-235-9165 (please only ask one question per call)
On to our main topic of our show…the Recognize part of the RESTORE process.
Recognize and evaluate go hand-in-hand. Remember, don’t get caught up in this process. Our point is to get to a place to set a goal and move forward.
We don’t diagnose PTSD or any other conditions.
We can recognize that something is not right with ourselves or another. It does not even need to rise to the level of something that would be diagnosed for us to reach out for help or to help.
Getting help starts with Recognizing that there is an issue/opportunity
What has changed? What is different?
May take weeks or sometimes years to have symptoms.
It is normal to be affected by a traumatic experience!
in 2012, 22 US Veterans committed suicide each day!
US National Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
for US Veterans – VA Hotline 1-800-273-8255 press 1
Do you know of a number in the country where you live?
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An estimated 22 U.S. Veterans committee suicide each day. That means about 1,892 veterans have died this year due to suicide.
