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The demographics of military suicide
Jonn Lilyea | April 2, 2015
Let me begin by saying that even one suicide by a veteran or active duty member of the military is an absolute tragedy. Bobo sends us a link to an Reuters article about the study that was recently conducted by researchers at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Mark Reger of the group told Reuters;
Suicide rates were similar regardless of deployment status. There were 1,162 suicides among those who deployed and 3,879 among those who didn’t, representing suicide rates per 100,000 person-years of 18.86 and 17.78, respectively.
Leaving the military significantly increased suicide risk, however, with a suicide rate of 26.06 after separating from service compared with 15.12 per 100,000 for those who remained in uniform. Those who left sooner had a greater risk, with a rate of 48.04 per 100,000 among those who spent less than a year in the military.
Service members with a dishonorable discharge were about twice as likely to commit suicide as those who had an honorable separation.
“This is the first time such a huge, comprehensive study has found an increased suicide risk among those who have separated from service, particularly if they served for less than four years or had an other than honorable discharge…”
The researchers also tie in gun ownership to the suicide rate, but that is to be expected – what they don’t filter out is the number of suicides from methods other than firearms. Also they skim over the part where military members sometimes bring baggage from civilian life to the military with them. To me, the folks who are forced out early are in that group because they have difficulty adjusting to the military – which would explain why that group is twice as likely to kill themselves than those who deployed. Maybe the pentagon ought to look into making everyone deploy in order to take advantage of therapeutic benefits.
Jonn Lilyea | April 2, 2015
Let me begin by saying that even one suicide by a veteran or active duty member of the military is an absolute tragedy. Bobo sends us a link to an Reuters article about the study that was recently conducted by researchers at Joint Base Lewis McChord. Mark Reger of the group told Reuters;
Suicide rates were similar regardless of deployment status. There were 1,162 suicides among those who deployed and 3,879 among those who didn’t, representing suicide rates per 100,000 person-years of 18.86 and 17.78, respectively.
Leaving the military significantly increased suicide risk, however, with a suicide rate of 26.06 after separating from service compared with 15.12 per 100,000 for those who remained in uniform. Those who left sooner had a greater risk, with a rate of 48.04 per 100,000 among those who spent less than a year in the military.
Service members with a dishonorable discharge were about twice as likely to commit suicide as those who had an honorable separation.
“This is the first time such a huge, comprehensive study has found an increased suicide risk among those who have separated from service, particularly if they served for less than four years or had an other than honorable discharge…”
The researchers also tie in gun ownership to the suicide rate, but that is to be expected – what they don’t filter out is the number of suicides from methods other than firearms. Also they skim over the part where military members sometimes bring baggage from civilian life to the military with them. To me, the folks who are forced out early are in that group because they have difficulty adjusting to the military – which would explain why that group is twice as likely to kill themselves than those who deployed. Maybe the pentagon ought to look into making everyone deploy in order to take advantage of therapeutic benefits.
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I found some information about this subject and thought I would share it with you. Both of the helicopter pilots I flew with, committed suicide. One was a retired COL and the other was a retired CW-5. We reunited at a helicopter crew reunion in 2001. They were both happy, funny, and had a hell of a lot of good memories. They never talked about their tours or anything about Vietnam. They were both in their 70's, retired from civilian life, and you would think they were all set to live out their lives with their families. I can't describe how much it hurt to get an email from their wives telling me they committed suicide. They were one year apart suicides. I don't know if because one did it, it hurt the other one so much he couldn't live anymore. They were best friends and had kept in touch with each other all the time. I've tried twice, but they were a no go. I especially thought about it after the news that they were dead. I guess God wasn't ready for me.
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Very interesting i'm curious if the disparity is the result of two independent factors. I like to see numbers on those that deployed knowing someone KIA. Maybe the deployment and possibly losing a friend drives one to have a greater appreciation for life. The more time deployed you would expect this rate to go down if this is the case as more hardship is likely. For the less time in service non-deployed one might not of had time to acquire this appreciation for life in not having gone through the ringer and forged in away by that type of experience. I think it might be a matter of lust for life. For me personally having lost a couple of friends while I never deployed I certainly think about my actions and reflect more on my opportunities. The other factor is really all other external factors such as predisposition genetically, drinking and or drug abuse, and all the other external factors that typically play a part the general population. Maybe like you have stated and while it might seem counter intuitive surviving deployment is the best cure.
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SPC David S.
All said and done between 1.5 and 3.6 million people died in the Vietnam War. Being forged is one thing being thrown into the crucible is an experience I don't think words could do justice to describe. SGT (Join to see) I have a ton of respect for your service and the honor that you represent.
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SGT (Join to see)
Having a few friends who gave up and ate the bullet, I have found out there are several reasons vets are doing this. One is homelessness. How they became homeless is another story. They don't come back from a deployment and think to themselves, "I know, I'll kill myself." Some of the reasons are that they are forever changed. They come home and everyone thinks they should jump back into a job or college right away. PTSD is a real, hidden, combat wound. If they don't get the help they need, right away, things begin to seem hopeless. The VA drags their feet, or the vet is so screwed up they don't know what or how to get in the VA system, and they feel hopeless. The VA's dragging their feet, is another road block, and eventually they give up and say screw it, it's not worth living. Some get kicked out of their parents homes because they won't conform to the rules they are expected to. Some, who are married, get kicked out because the wife has taken all she can stand. Their once friends don't understand them any longer due to their temper or staying drunk all the time, and don't want to be around them.
Some are doing great controlling their physical disability, or mental health disability, then one day, for some unknown reason, give up. I don't understand why they just give up when they have friends at the VA who really care about them. One of my friends seemed to be doing well. He came to our group sessions, laughed and joked around. Then one day he went home, set his house on fire, and shot himself in the head. Another, who seemed ok too, deliberately drove his Harley into a brick wall and died. Another was found hanging in his closet at his home. I tried twice myself. My mind told me there wasn't anything worth living for. This was after I got fired from my job for poor performance. One day I was ok. It seemed like the next day, I couldn't concentrate and remember anything.
The vets need special attention when they come back from a deployment that has been combat the entire time they were there. As young men, they see and do things a civilian wouldn't think of doing. Instead of them being given up on, they need understanding and love. I've tried to reach out to the young vets at the VA, but they're like I was after I came home. I didn't want to talk to anyone and I wanted to be left alone. Some of these young vets have that thousand yard stare, and don't comprehend anything you're saying. I can go on and on, but I won't. It brings back too many bad memories. These are some of my reasons this is happening so much. It has happened after all of the wars fought. It's more publicized now than it was before, and there had to be something done to curb it.
Some are doing great controlling their physical disability, or mental health disability, then one day, for some unknown reason, give up. I don't understand why they just give up when they have friends at the VA who really care about them. One of my friends seemed to be doing well. He came to our group sessions, laughed and joked around. Then one day he went home, set his house on fire, and shot himself in the head. Another, who seemed ok too, deliberately drove his Harley into a brick wall and died. Another was found hanging in his closet at his home. I tried twice myself. My mind told me there wasn't anything worth living for. This was after I got fired from my job for poor performance. One day I was ok. It seemed like the next day, I couldn't concentrate and remember anything.
The vets need special attention when they come back from a deployment that has been combat the entire time they were there. As young men, they see and do things a civilian wouldn't think of doing. Instead of them being given up on, they need understanding and love. I've tried to reach out to the young vets at the VA, but they're like I was after I came home. I didn't want to talk to anyone and I wanted to be left alone. Some of these young vets have that thousand yard stare, and don't comprehend anything you're saying. I can go on and on, but I won't. It brings back too many bad memories. These are some of my reasons this is happening so much. It has happened after all of the wars fought. It's more publicized now than it was before, and there had to be something done to curb it.
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SPC David S.
I had two friends that got sideways. One somehow got it together. I think it was his father, a Vietnam vet, who helped him out of it. Unfortunately he was KIA in 2006. The other spiraled down and lost wife, home and business. Only a few close Ranger friends were allowed in his circle of trust. Yes PTSD is very real. If ever find yourself in the hurt again give me a call. PM me for my number.
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I am assuming many who were dishonorably discharged had PTSD and screwed up one too many times for a medical discharge. Is there explanation why non-deployed has such a high suicide rate?
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