"In 2018, Veterans accounted for a lower proportion of suicide deaths among U.S. adults than in prior years. Veterans accounted for 13.8% of all deaths by suicide in 2018, compared to 19.2% in 2005 and 14.1% in 2017....Male veterans are 18 times more likely to kill themselves than their civilian counterparts, and female veterans are, sadly, 250 times more likely to commit suicide than their civilian counterparts. Another grave statistic is that it is estimated that an average of 20 veterans per day commit suicide — which translates to one veteran every 65 minutes...
Young enlisted troops are the primary concern. They account for 43% of the military population but 61% of deaths by suicide. Personally owned firearms, not military weapons, were the primary cause of death."None of us has solved this issue," said Karin Orvis, director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office. "There is no quick fix." Military suicides
Fellow troops reach out to their comrades, especially comment section after videos like this were released:
I'm so sorry, Brother. I also served in Iraq, Fallujah as an Infantry Marine and I felt through every fiber of my body the words you wrote. Everyday is a struggle. Rest Easy Brother. I love You.
Amen. Thank you for posting. And he has 100% correct. My condolences to his friends and family. I'm sorry for your loss. And they give you the most deadliest mix of prescription meds. Chantix, antidepressants, a statin or opioids.
PTSD awareness month — an average of 20 veterans per day commit s…
thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/392871-ptsd-awareness-m…
My WW2 veteran father suffered with PTSD for nearly 70 years. His struggles affected our entire family. But, that was a time of "suck it up, keep going" where people never talked about the sources or struggles.
One source of providing support is Supporting mental health , and I've purchased tee shirts, a car sticker, and other items. They honor those who are suffering. Check them out. They have goals, one of which is to rescue and recognize the humanity of tortured veterans.
Sadly the military (past and present) are over represented in our suicide statistics as well. Pain that they have viewed, experienced and that they cannot leave behind...
ReplyDeleteIt is a tragedy that cannot be described.
DeleteWe lose more to suicide than we do as war casualties. Though of course both are war casualties.
DeleteThese statistics are heartbreaking ... unacceptable. My own son suffers from PTSD and has championed for those who suffer. Thank God, my DIL has worked 26 years in mental health and recognizes the signs. Not all are so fortunate.
ReplyDeletePS - Every time I try to click on your last link -- both on my phone and desktop -- it takes me back to my own blog.
I hope you go back and check those addresses. Articles are good.
DeleteYour DIL must have great compassion.
So sad. We know there's an issue, yet we do nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteIt is easier to forget it, than to help with those who are in trouble.
DeleteI hate to see and hear those stats. I remember Paul Harvey's take on WAR. He had been there. He declared that every politician should be drafted FIRST when war was declared. Also instead feeding young minds to the machine the draft age should be 45-65 with volunteers to 75.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the suicide notes and information studies find or force some answers.....
Thanks
Sherry & jack
The decision makers should have some true battle experience.
DeleteThe answer would be to not send these young men to fight a war they don't need to. Another option is to hold daily group therapy sessions for all the returned men until they can cope, however many years that might take.
ReplyDeleteGroup sessions have the most effect, I believe. And, these precious men and women need to monitored, kept safe.
DeleteHow i wish we could do away with the need for anyone to serve in the military. My heart aches over what they go through.
ReplyDeleteAS long as there is sin, evil, greed? I don't think that will happen.
DeleteSad statistics that point out the fact we don't spend enough on veteran healthcare.
ReplyDeleteAnd all 3 of your links are https://www.blogger.com/# which take people back to their own blog.
Sorry that you were sent to the wrong address. It was an error in addresses.
Delete2 down, one to go. 'PTSD awareness month' still needs to be fixed.
DeleteMy father was a WW2 combat veteran and suffered from PTSD for the rest of his life too. We as his family suffered along with him. Family members often end up with PTSD too from coping with the vet. PTSD is the gift that keeps on giving.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it exactly.
DeleteI interviewed eight vets from the Vietnam War. Most admitted they were suicidal at least once after returning home. Several admitted they suffered from PTSD, but a couple never asked for help. Two were so angry from being exposed to Agent Orange, that kept them going. They were fighting the govt. to give them the help they needed. If they didn't have that fight going for them, they would probably have been one of the suicidal statistics, too.
ReplyDeleteIt is my belief that when a soldier comes home from any country where battles have been fought, they should attend MANDATORY psych evaluations and therapy. Those who serve overseas in places that don't see any war (like Germany) don't need the therapy. Those in war torn countries, even if they have never seen or been in battle, still need the help. In addition to medical doctors, we need to hire more psychiatrists and psychologists to help these returning soldiers.
Amen. In my small rural area, there were several veteran farmers who came back from war, and they needed help.
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