Suicide Prevention - A New Resource!

The current suicide statistics in our military are very disturbing.  The Long War has produced many new milestones, but few are as sobering as the growing number of service families shattered by suicide.

In the very brief tenure of VeteranCaregiver.com, we have experienced first-hand multiple instances where genuine personal connection, peer support, and friendship has prevented suicides and guided veterans and caregivers to the appropriate mental health professionals for care.  Many effective, helpful resources exist with the excellent VA Suicide Hotline, live Veteran Chat, and other VA/DoD suicide prevention measures.  Yet, it is often in the form of reaching out to others in friendship and support that the common precursors to potential suicide are identified:  hopelessness, isolation, anger, depression, and feelings of futility. 

Suicide Facts for Primary Care Providers

Helping Service Members and Families Overcome Barriers to Care

Suicide of our military service members is the highest on record, rising for a fourth straight year and surpassing the suicide rate in the general population. In the Army, about one third of suicides occur during deployment and one third occur post deployment. Despite stepped up efforts for mental health prevention and outreach, a military culture that values strength and resilience presents multiple barriers to care. Service members and families are reluctant to seek mental health services due to “not wanting to let anyone down,” shame, guilt and feeling stigmatized by one’s coworkers and loved ones, and fear of job loss. Furthermore, frequent military moves can disrupt and impede patient-doctor relationships that enable a physician to know a patient’s history and more easily detect changes in his/her physical or mental status and behavior.

In this Courage to Care, we provide warning signs and risk factors associated with suicidality.

Click here to go to the Restoring Hope Web Site.

Suicide Primer for Lay People "Must Read" Document

Not all people with depression will show all symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more symptoms, for more than two weeks, consult a doctor or mental health professional right away. While the symptoms specified for all groups below generally characterize major depression, there are other disorders with similar characteristics including: bipolar illness, anxiety disorder, or attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.

Click here to download document Suicide Primer for Lay People with important information for all Mentors and Follow-On Mentors.

Suicide Facts: What Military Families Should Know to Help Loved Ones Who May Be At Risk

Suicide has increased dramatically in the military since the start of the global war on terrorism. Family members and military leaders are all working together to address the needs of our service members, and to get them the help and care that will restore their hope and relieve their stress.

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans. While suicide is a difficult topic to discuss, it is an important one for military families because the number of suicides is rising within the military population. The increased operational tempo, redeployment, combat exposure injury, and the impact on marital and family relationships create extreme stress and are contributing factors. Additionally, the reluctance of service members to seek treatment plays a role in the delay in getting care.

Suicide, by definition, is fatal — a loss to the family and the nation. Those who attempt suicide and survive can be left with serious injuries such as broken bones, brain damage, organ failure, and permanent physical disability. Suicide affects one’s family and community and leaves feelings of despair, grief, and anger.

Like any health problem, it is important to educate oneself about suicide. The more you know, the more likely you are to identify warning signs and to help prevent the loss or injury of a loved one.