Veteran Suicide
Veteran Suicide and Helping Bereaved Families and Friends Left Behind
DID YOU KNOW?
Four Times As Many Troops and Vets Have Taken Their Own Lives Than Lost In Combat?* According to the report, this outpaces those of the general public in the same time period.
Researchers Estimate:
30,177 Global War on Terror veterans have taken their own lives vs. 7,057 lost while deployed.
A Horrific Daily Cost:
The Veterans Administration (VA) reports that 17 veterans take their lives EACH DAY in the U.S. Interestingly, they lowered the number from a previously reported 20 veterans a day by eliminating active duty, and former National Guard and Reserve members from this number. Regardless, this number is higher than the average population (in my opinion) and according to the VA’s “Solid Start” program the majority of these deaths occur in the first year of transition to civilian life.
Beyond Numbers and Into Support:
There are non-profit organizations that offer support for families that have suffered this type of tragic loss and for anyone effected by the loss.
Two such organizations are:
TAPS Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
These groups offer pear support at no cost with additional services available such as helping to find a good match with a certified counselor well versed in suicide counseling and that falls within your insurance carrier coverage.
Personally Speaking:
I know from my own experience in losing a loved one very dear to me… that sometimes the full reaction does not occur for months and even years. Or sometime the manifestation of the reaction occurs in strange ways… for me I developed claustrophobia. I did not make the connection for some time. But later realized it was from seeing my loved on in a casket and thinking how are they going to breath when they close the lid. Seems silly, but the mind works the way the mind works… and that is why we cannot shut down or wall off our feelings when tragedy occurs. Whether it is pear to pear of professional counseling, I am now a proponent of getting help. The kind of help that can guide you through a process to help draw out and deal with emotions. A process to help deal with our challenges rather than letting them manifest in ways we don’t expect or are not ready to deal with.
Most insurances cover a small number of professional visits… But even so, TAPS recommends both a pear to pear group and professional help. And, I do too.
*Study by: Costs of War Project