suicide

While the public is aware of some key risk factors for suicide among Veterans, they are often unaware of the devastating relationship between substance use and suicide.

AARP has free resources to help military caregivers with stress, including a Facebook group for support and strategies developed with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

Caring Letters Program sends messages with simple expressions of care and concern to Veterans who use VA health care and contact crisis line.

The Veteran community of southern New Jersey came together to call attention to joint efforts to end Veteran suicide. The joint event included the display of the Flags of Forgotten Soldiers.

After two tours as an IED hunter in Iraq, Josh returned to the states. He had a difficult time adjusting, and was always on high alert, until he went through prolonged exposure therapy at VA.

Women Veterans more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to non-Veteran women. It’s more important than ever that providers talk with women Veterans and understand their unique suicide risks.

Conversely, the researchers concluded that men with prostate cancer and PTSD may have been at lower risk of death from non-suicidal causes due to favorable physical health resulting from greater health care use and early diagnosis of localized—or low-risk—cancer.

In our culture, we often avoid using the word suicide so asking a fellow Veteran “Are you thinking of suicide?” may take a lot of courage. Asking the question won’t increase their risk of harm.

Community leaders across southern New England met virtually to form stronger relationships to prevent Veteran suicides in their region and discuss outreach strategies for Veterans who are struggling.

The Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program offers free consultations and training for all providers in the VA health care system and the community who are treating Veterans at risk for suicide.

In interviews with the researchers, 25 male Veterans and 25 female Veterans who had made a recent suicide attempt discussed their suicidal thoughts. In the moments before they tried taking their lives, the women recalled feeling “shameful,” “tainted,” and “worthless.” The men talked about feeling overwhelmed and remembered thinking, “it just wasn't worth it,” “I've had enough,” and “screw this.”

Take action to help prevent suicide. Here are some valuable ideas that can help you BE THERE for a Veteran in your life. Maybe just a phone call. Reach out and assure them that they are not alone.