Responding To Veteran Suicide: What Is The Leading Cause Of Veteran Suicide?
Suicide is the 10th most common cause of death in the United States. One of the most important aspects to consider is that suicides have always been under-reported for a variety of reasons. Experts have estimated that the rate of suicide could be between 10 and 15% higher than what is officially recorded. It is believed that the U.S. military reflects an essential segment of the U.S. population with both unique and shared characteristics compared to the U.S.
In the past, suicide rates for military personnel were less than the rates found in the general population. However, the rising rates of suicide among service members and Veterans in the past few years have raised questions from experts and the public about what is the root cause of veteran suicide. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for the U.S. armed force. According to the budget calendar year of the year 2015 Department of Defense Suicide Occasion Report – annual report, the average suicide rate was 20 percent.
Surprisingly, Veterans make up just 8 percent of people in the U.S. population, highlighting the lack of proportion of suicide deaths within the population. However, it is estimated that 22 Veterans die each day through suicide.
Facts About Veteran Suicide Causes
Although alcohol and addiction to drugs is a significant factor in suicide risk, Other co-occurring mental disorders are frequently associated with the use of drugs and suicide. The most common mental disorders that veterans suffer from include PTSD and anxiety. Indirect contact with injury or suffering from a TBI during the military could increase the chance of substance abuse as well as PTSD as well as depression. Why is veteran suicide a problem? Veterans fought for our country and need help to recover from the trauma!
There’s still time and hope if we try!
Causes Of Veteran Suicide Is Complex, But Help Is Available
The stigma associated with Vietnam could have made some veterans hesitant to immediately seek the help they needed after returning from their service. Veteran suicide causes can stem from feeling alienated, alone, and having painful memories to deal with.
A study published on the 15th of May 2015 by VA suggests that the VA improve its suicide prevention procedures for veterans in Vietnam. VA officials estimate that only one out of five veterans who commit suicide were registered in VA health care. The updated suicide statistics of the VA earlier this year showed an improvement in the suicide rate of middle-aged male veterans who are enrolled in VA health services, compared to an increase in the same age group of veterans who do not.
The majority of people who call are middle-aged people. Many veterans of the aging population face the same issues as the general population as they get older, including declining mobility and health, which may cause feelings of loneliness and despair. Older people are also more likely to suffer from chronic pain, particularly when they’ve suffered an injury from war.
Help is available, and I hope that our work will help us reach out to more people experiencing difficulties and contribute to what is being implemented to prevent veteran suicide. Veteran Warrior Outreach is always striving to provide new information that will bring about a fundamental change to the most vulnerable people in society.
