Veteran Suicide Rates Skyrocket
Veteran suicide is climbing at an alarming rate, especially among young males. “Every day, 22 veterans take their own lives. That’s a suicide every 65 minutes,” CNN reports. A significant number of suicides go unreported, according to CNN; veteran suicide rates may be even higher than Department of Veterans Affairs data suggests.
Young Male Vets Most at Risk
Young male veterans are the most likely to resort to suicide. “The number of male veterans under the age of 30 who commit suicide jumped by 44 percent between 2009 and 2011, the most recent year for which data was available, according to numbers released Thursday by the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Time magazine explains. Suicide rates among women vets are also increasing; Time reveals that 11% more female vets committed suicide from 2009 to 2011. Veteran suicide prevention groups are uncertain why more young veterans are taking their own lives. Possible reasons include post-traumatic stress disorder, troubles when readjusting to civilian life, and disabling combat injuries.
Government Reaches Out to Depressed Veterans
The upsetting trend, however, is not going unnoticed. Head of the Department of Affair’s suicide prevention program, Janet Kemp, told USA Today, “If we can get them engaged in (mental health) services, we can make a huge difference, and that’s encouraging.” President Obama allotted $107 million in funding for post traumatic stress disorder help, mental health programs, and suicide prevention programs for veterans.
Survivors of abuse, and vets continuing to suffer from military trauma, can also seek closure in the form of legal recourse. Veterans lawyers and veterans disability lawyers often offer their services for discounted rates.
More young male vets are turning to suicide. Fortunately, the government is taking notice and stepping up to help. Make sure depressed veterans in your life get the help they need, and consider consulting with veterans disability lawyers for legal guidance if necessary. More information like this.
