Suicide is a national crisis that requires comprehensive action from all fronts including improved mental health services, more public awareness, and support for those who have served in the military.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 17.5 Veterans on average commit suicide a day. The VA also reported, 46,412 suicides among U.S. adults including 6,392 suicides being Veterans.
What’s Working?
Veteran Crisis Hotline: Provides free, confidential support 24/7 to Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families, offering support and resources.
Community Centers: Accessible programs that address Veterans' physical and mental health needs including, healthcare, therapy, and rehabilitation.
Telehealth Resources: Allows access to healthcare from anywhere with an internet connection.
Veteran-Led Organizations: Provides peer networking support, offers specialized mental health services, career counseling, advocacy for Veterans’ rights, and community connection.
What Needs to Change?
Access to Care: Veterans often face issues when accessing healthcare, including long wait times for appointments, difficulty navigating scheduling, inadequate mental health support, and lack of awareness about available benefits.
Transition to Civilian Life: Finding employment, adjusting to less structure, potential mental health issues from combat, and navigating civilian norms can all make it challenging for Veterans.
Comprehensive Mental Health Care: The holistic treatment approach for Veterans can improve their quality of life by addressing all aspects of their lives, physical health, emotional state, social connections, and spiritual needs,
Call to Action for Prevention?
Educating military personnel to learn to identify distressed individuals.
Increasing access to crisis services through hotlines and recourse centers.
Upholding zero-tolerance policies for assault and harassment, reducing trauma.
Creating protocols for access to firearms for at-risk service members.
Addressing substance abuse disorders.
At Boots to Health, we are dedicated to being part of the solution. Through our programs and community-based support systems, we are actively working to ensure priority care for Veterans.
Cohen Veterans Bioscience. (n.d.). Brain Trauma & Veteran Suicide. Cohen Veterans Bioscience. https://www.cohenveteransbioscience.org/resource/about-brain- trauma/military-veteran-suicide/
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2023/2023-National-Veteran- Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdf
Walker, L. (2024, October 18). Veteran Suicide Rates and Warning Signs. Greenhouse Treatment Center. https://greenhousetreatment.com/veterans-and- addiction/suicide-prevention/
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