Posted on Apr 7, 2016
CubaSi - Nearly 14% of veterans engage in suicidal thinking – study
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A two-year national study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that 280 out of some 2,000 veterans reported suicidal thinking. At more than triple the rate for the general public, the authors hope to highlight ways to address the issue.
The first wave of the study was conducted in 2011, with a second following in 2013. The research was led by Dr. Robert Pietrzak of the Clinical Neuroscience Division of the VA’s National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Veterans were contacted twice and asked if they had “experienced suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks,” among other questions.
About 86 percent denied having such thoughts both times they were asked, according to the study. About five percent had “chronic” suicidal thoughts, reporting that they had had them within two weeks of the time they were surveyed both times, which took place two years apart.
The report also found that nearly four percent of veterans had “remitted” suicidal thinking, reporting suicidal thoughts in the first wave, but not in the second. Another five percent only reported having suicidal thoughts in the second survey.
The first wave of the study was conducted in 2011, with a second following in 2013. The research was led by Dr. Robert Pietrzak of the Clinical Neuroscience Division of the VA’s National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Veterans were contacted twice and asked if they had “experienced suicidal thoughts in the past two weeks,” among other questions.
About 86 percent denied having such thoughts both times they were asked, according to the study. About five percent had “chronic” suicidal thoughts, reporting that they had had them within two weeks of the time they were surveyed both times, which took place two years apart.
The report also found that nearly four percent of veterans had “remitted” suicidal thinking, reporting suicidal thoughts in the first wave, but not in the second. Another five percent only reported having suicidal thoughts in the second survey.
CubaSi - Nearly 14% of veterans engage in suicidal thinking – study
Posted from cubasi.com
Suicide
PTSD
Victory for Veterans (VFV)
Support
Volunteering
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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We better get serious about the 2016 elections. Not just for President. All elections. We need people who are going to get serious about solving problems and not just playing politics to get reelected. We need defense. It's the first and foremost need of We the People. It's the first mentioned in the Constitution. And We the People must be willing to pay the cost. There's a cost to be paid that's been ignored. When you send your young in harms way, when you ask them to do unspeakable things, they will become trapped in broken bodies, broken minds, and broken spirits. Don't we have an obligation to make them whole again? Shouldn't we retain them in the military until we have, not just kick them to the curb when they're no longer useful as warriors? What most civilians don't realize is that much of training in the military is designed to instill a sense of family in those who serve. They are encouraged to think of their comrades in arms as brothers so that they will be better able to overcome the fear of battle and watch their brothers' backs. Not abandon them. What then do you think these young men and women feel when the family "disinherits" them?
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That is not surprising COL Mikel J. Burroughs that nearly 14% of veterans engage in suicidal thinking. Suicidal thinking is problematic but it is a couple steps below making suicidal plans and carrying them out. Hopefully those who are suddenly aware that they are having suicidal thoughts have trustworthy people they can talk to about it and seek help.
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I personally believe the percentage is higher. Many veterans still feel unsafe about admitting to suicidal thoughts. They government has made us very concerned about this due to news reports of veterans losing the ability to own firearms and such through the VA reporting them. Maybe, if we stopped doing stuff like that, we could get some real numbers and understand the real problems confronting our (all of us) veterans when they separate from the service.
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