This is a problem that's being overlooked

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 20:45:06 -0400

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 2 at 2015 8:48 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 20:48:21 -0400

That veteran suicide number is staggering and sobering

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 2 at 2015 9:12 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:12:20 -0400

The problem is not being overlooked, many are looking at it. And many are misrepresenting it.

About 72% of veterans are at least 50. It is not surprising, then, that the VA found that people in this age group account for 69% of veteran suicides — or more than 15 of the 22 per day.

Many times when this is talked about it is stated to make it sound like its all the younger Iraq and Afghanistan vets.... Thankfully it's not.

Still it's well above the civilian numbers and needs special attention.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 2 at 2015 9:16 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:16:37 -0400

CPT Bruce Rodgers Thanks for raising this issue.
I was curious about the number of suicides and why 1999 was the benchmark for combat deaths versus 1965 to include Vietnam. I looked through a VA study withe hyperlink below. One of the conclusions in that 2012 study which looked at all suicides since some states do not list veteran status on death certificates further research was required and some extrapolation of the results.
To date in 2012, data from 1999 though 2009 from twenty-one (21) states have been cleaned and entered into a single integrated file containing information on more than 147,000 suicides and
27,062 reported Veterans.
Based on the number 128,480 you cited either the VA study group was able to work through the other 29 states were cleaned or some other parallel study must have been conducted.
In any event 128,480 is a huge number of veteran suicides and is 100,000 higher than what the VA had determined by the 2012 study.
One of the conclusions in that is that the majority of male veteran suicides are age 50 or older.
Male Veterans who die by suicide are older than non-Veteran males who die by suicide.
The age distribution of Veteran and non-Veteran women who have died from suicide is similar.
http://www.va.gov/opa/docs/suicide-data-report-2012-final.pdf

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jul 2 at 2015 9:18 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:18:30 -0400

Unfortunately, the government has its head so far up its ass with gay marriage and offensive flags that this issue will be at the bottom for awhile.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Jul 3 at 2015 1:32 AM

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 01:32:20 -0400

It's not just the VA that's not doing enough, perfect example is Sen Tom Coburn who blocks the Clay Hunt SAV Act last December. Our elected leaders, well some of them are not bringing this issue to the top and helping.

Response by SPC JoAnn Session made Jul 3 at 2015 2:07 AM

SPC JoAnn Session — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 02:07:08 -0400

This is a problem that is not even talked about much within the veterans community. It is either that it is too painful for the veterans or that it is not brought to our attention when it happens. I met a young lady a few years ago in the Bronx VA who was visibly depressed. I spoke with her and introduced her to some other female veterans and our PTSD community. After receiving some help she started looking up and was due to start working a new job. One most would not have been hired for. her attitude had changed and we found her very pleasant and positive. Suddenly she stopped coming around as often. When I heard about her, she had committed suicide. For those of us who met and got to know her for that short period it was somewhat devastating to us. This being because we thought we truly made a difference and helped her. She did express that to us prior to her end. Something triggered her depression and again and she never came back. I still today think about her and often wondered if there were more that I could've done. I know that I mustn't retain that burden on myself and yet I take it on daily, trying not give up on any soldier or their family member. Its not easy however, we must be there for each other when no one else is.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jul 3 at 2015 2:50 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 02:50:21 -0400

CPT Bruce Rodgers --- what is the source for the statistics used in the graphic?

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 3 at 2015 6:47 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 06:47:32 -0400

Unbelievable and a tragedy every day! Are these numbers accurate? Not questioning your integrity however, the source. That represents more than 20 Veteran suicides every day, if accurate, this is a tragedy EVERY DAY!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 7:54 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 07:54:01 -0400

Well, I have read on RP that the 22 a day number is bogus. I am not saying it is.

How does the suicide rate for male vets compare to that of male no vets?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 9:49 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 09:49:18 -0400

There are multiple resources out there available.
We educate people at least once a year and then again if there is an incident.
Facebook, Twitter, Rally Point, and many other sites always have meme(s) on this topic and directions on how to get help.
Television commercials run
Radio commercials run

Suicide is one of those things that we may never be able to eradicate. We should continue all of our current education efforts, but do need to be realistic and understand that ultimately it's the individual who makes the decision....it's not the fault of those around them.

I guess I'm saying I agree with you.....but realistically what more can we do....we are already more proactive on this topic than probably any other veteran issue.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 3 at 2015 12:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:54:27 -0400

I would say the first 2 months of PTSD is critical to start for therapy and build a structured life. It is in this phase that PTSD folks are extremely broken and the pain appears insurmountable. Unfortunately it is during this time they use skewed logic to contemplate committing suicide. A broken spirit requires a lot effort to fix, and leaders need to be cognizant of their troops and the suffering they experience. Show compassion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 9 at 2015 2:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:36:34 -0400

I wish they will study the demographics of the suicides to include chemical dependency and homelessness.