Given the deep division of the election, what effect do you feel it will have on Veteran suicide (will it rise, fall or stay the same)?

SPC Phil Norton — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 00:01:29 -0500

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Nov 8 at 2016 12:12 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 00:12:28 -0500

I suspect it will not change, suicide is personal choice and has deep levels of cause.

Response by SPC Phil Norton made Nov 8 at 2016 12:27 AM

SPC Phil Norton — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 00:27:25 -0500

I asked this question because I know it has been hard for me I am not suicidal but my anxiety and depression has increased I would think that I am not alone in this and simply put i fear for others that don't have the support system that I do

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Nov 8 at 2016 1:23 AM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 01:23:12 -0500

The election itself? None. The added stress of an election cycle? I guess it could increase it.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 8 at 2016 2:36 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 02:36:48 -0500

No change in Suicide rates. Civilian suicides have been steadily rising since I think 2002 or 2004, before that time they were on the decline. First thought it was the crappy economy but there has been some good years in there so I am not sure what it is or is causing it.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Nov 8 at 2016 10:19 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 10:19:27 -0500

SPC Phil Norton The election will not effect the suicide rate in veterans.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 8 at 2016 11:00 AM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:00:35 -0500

depending on the results it may increase and continue...

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 8 at 2016 11:08 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:08:40 -0500

I'm struggling to understand the link between the results of today's election and the suicide rate among Veterans. Sure, this election has been one of the craziest we have seen in a long time but I think most people will not go to that extreme when the results are made official. What will be interesting is to see how the president-elect takes on such challenges as reforming the VA Health System and control of the DoD once he or she is sitting in the Oval Office.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2016 11:11 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:11:38 -0500

I doubt that people that are becoming overwhelmed by their own personal challenges and demons give two craps about politics.
I would say that I speak for many when I say that this is a very dismaying process between two very flawed individuals.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Nov 8 at 2016 11:27 AM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:27:47 -0500

I have a feeling that it may well increase no matter who wins as there are too many active duty members not willing to follow the orders of fools.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Nov 8 at 2016 1:36 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 13:36:16 -0500

That is a good question. It is easy to say it won't have any effect, but it most likely will. This election has caused a lot of divisiveness, anger, etc. but also a LOT of anxiety and fear in people. Those kinds of emotions make conditions like PTSD harder to deal with on a day-by-day basis. In a word, it makes the world less safe and more chaotic to a person suffering already. That is going to have an impact, but I am not sure if there is anything we could do about it.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2016 2:57 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 14:57:22 -0500

An election isn't going to change the way a Vet thinks about suicide. There's something much deeper within them that causes them to think about it and for some unfortunately succeeding in doing so.

Response by SSgt Eric Ayala made Nov 12 at 2016 11:37 AM

SSgt Eric Ayala — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 11:37:46 -0500

i hope that more will be done for the vets now and that the rate will fall