The Importance Of Understanding Veteran Suicide Statistics
We rely on this statistic repeatedly since there’s no better indication of the war we are in right now. But does it tell the whole truth? Unfortunately, no. The issue of suicide regarding veterans is complex, intricate and often very personal. These statistics usually cover things like ‘what is the time of year when veteran suicide rates are higher. But what can we learn from it?
Adults and veteran populations and the need for continuous efforts to improve strategies for reducing suicide risk. Even though there is no complete improvement in the prevention of suicide among veterans, there are certain areas of improvement (American veteran suicide statistics reflect this, but the problem is far from being solved). The data shows that the rate of suicide among veterans who have only recently accessed VA health services decreased, which is a positive sign as the VA continues to work and shares what they learn with those who take care of and for veterans. But is the veteran rate of suicide higher than others in the general population still? Sadly, yes.
Veterans who have no connection to VA health care have risen 2.5 percent. Data suggests that suicide is prevented by medically-based and community-based suicide prevention efforts and interventions and through research and security both within and outside of the VA, but almost 22 veterans per day are still dying from suicide, so is this data accurate? However, this report also clarifies that suicide is not preventable, but suicide prevention and suicide are incredibly complicated.
Things To Know About Veteran Suicide Rate
Around 7,500 former military veterans committed suicide in 2012 alone. That year, more active-duty service personnel committed suicide (177) than were killed in battle (176). The Army accounted for 52% of suicides across all branches.
In 2013, the US Department of Veteran Affairs issued a report covering suicides from 1999 to 2010, revealing that approximately 22 veterans committed suicide daily, or once every 65 minutes. However, according to some sources, this percentage may underestimate suicides. For example, according to a 2013 analysis, veterans commit suicide at a rate of approximately 30 per 100,000 population each year, compared to the civilian rate of 14 per 100,000. The comparison, however, was not adjusted for age or gender.
According to a 2016 research published by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), an average of 20 veterans die by suicide per day, based on an analysis of 55 million veterans’ records from 1979 to 2014.
The total number of suicides varies by age category; 31% of veterans aged 49 and younger committed suicide, while 69% of veterans aged 50 and older committed suicide.
As is the case with suicides in general, suicides among veterans are overwhelmingly male, accounting for approximately 97 percent of suicides in the United States. The statistics outlined here are very saddening, yet the story must be told to bring awareness to the issue. God Bless.
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