Suicide Prevention Month
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line can help. Call 988 and then press 1, to be connected with help.
National Suicide Prevention Month, observed each September, serves as a period to raise awareness and promote resources, bringing a focused examination of the factors that affect the military community.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. General risk factors in the population include health conditions, substance use disorders, stress, and isolation. The efforts within the military are a component of the strategy to address suicide across all demographics.
Suicide rates among United States service members and veterans are a major issue for the Defense Department.
Data from federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicate that veterans die by suicide at a rate higher than non-veteran adults. The suicide rate for active-duty personnel is also an area of concern.
>> Never miss a benefits update. Subscribe to the MyMilitaryBenefits Newsletter today.
Addressing Veteran Suicide
How should military communities address military suicide? The first step is to understand the risks specific to service and the transition to civilian life.
For service members, these risks are often tied to their duties. Exposure to combat is a contributor, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The tempo of military life, frequent relocations, and family separations create stress. Personnel also have proficient access to firearms, a factor in the lethality of suicide attempts. These are not the only causes of concern, but they are important ones.
For veterans, risks often emerge during reintegration into society. This transition can present challenges, including difficulty finding employment. The loss of a mission, identity, and the camaraderie of a unit can result in feelings of isolation. Service-connected health conditions also play a role. Pain from physical injuries is a risk factor.
Mental health conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are issues that persist long after service ends.
In response, both the DoD and the VA have established suicide prevention programs. The DoD offers suicide prevention training including how to identify a peer in distress and connect them with help. There is also a policy emphasis on the safe storage of firearms.
Keys to Veteran Suicide Prevention
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers suicide prevention resources. But according to VA.gov, no single provider can handle the entire burden, and there are external factors that friends and family should pay attention to in the interest of preventing suicide.
“One of the keys to prevention is strengthening protective factors—like access to mental health care, feeling connected to other people, and positive coping skills—for Veterans and reducing risk factors, like easy access to firearms or certain medications, and stressful life events, such as divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one.
The VA health care system provides advice and treatment, including therapy, counseling, and programs for PTSD and substance use disorders.
The VA also promotes the S.A.V.E. training program. This program teaches people how to recognize the signs of a veteran in crisis and help them connect with the necessary care.
The acronym stands for Signs of suicidal thinking, Asking the question, Validating the person’s experience, Encouraging help, and Expediting treatment.
In addition to government efforts, community-based and non-profit organizations contribute to suicide prevention. These groups offer peer support networks, which can be crucial for veterans experiencing isolation. They also provide wellness programs that complement clinical care.
>> Never miss a benefits update. Subscribe to the MyMilitaryBenefits Newsletter today.
Veteran Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line immediately. You can call or text 988 and then press 1, or you can chat online. The resources below also provide comprehensive support.
- Veterans Crisis Line
- VA Mental Health
- Vet Centers
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Stop Soldier Suicide
- Cohen Veterans Network
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line can help. Call 988 and then press 1, to be connected with help.
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
