Help for Military and Veterans

You’ve served us; let us serve you, as you are our heroes. You’ve been places we’ve not been… experienced situations outside of your control. The army suicide rate is now higher than that among the general American population. The rate has been calculated as 20.2 per 100,000 soldiers, compared with 19.5 per 100,000 civilians. About 18 veterans complete suicide daily. Attempted suicides at a rate of 13,000 per year show clearly that there is an epidemic of suicide among veterans.

2012 Suicide Data Report / VHA Response and Data Summary

  • May 2007 report shows suicide estimates of 1000/yr who have received care within VHA and 5000/yr among all living veterans.
  • More male Veterans complete suicide than female Veterans.
  • More than 69% of Veteran suicides are among those aged 50 yrs or older.
  • Male Veterans who die by suicide are older than non-Veteran males who die by suicide.
  • 97% of completions of males identify as Veterans compared to 74% non-Veteran suicide decendents.
  • A majority of non-fatal events were the result of overdose or other intentional poisonings.
  • The majority of callers to the Veterans Crisis Line are male and between the ages of 50-59.
  • Approximately 19% of callers to the Veterans Crisis Line call more than 1x/month.
  • Approximately 93% of all Veterans Crisis Line referrals are made to callers with a history of VHA service use in the past 12 months.
  • Between FY 2009-FY 2001, the use of inpatient and outpatient services increased following a rescue.
  • The 12-month re-event prevalence has decreased among those who have been rescued or received a referral for follow-up care.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs 2013 estimates suicide completions among Veterans as 22/day (2010); every 65 minutes

Resources for Military and Veterans

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need help, call or text 9-8-8 now. You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area.

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Crisis Text Line is free 24/7 support at your fingertips, where every texter is connected with a real-life, trained Crisis Counselor. All Crisis Counselors are volunteers, who donate their time to helping people in crisis. Text 741741.

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Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

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Veterans Military One Source is a 24/7/365 web-based (or toll free number 1-800-342-9647) resource for military members, spouses, guard/reserves and service providers. Consultation is available immediately on-line or by phone, or you may schedule a face-to-face counseling session. There is online information, tools and a community in which to answer questions and address your concerns.

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Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides prevention support, training and materials to strengthen suicide prevention efforts. Among the resources found on its website is the SPRC Library Catalog, a searchable database containing a wealth of information on suicide and suicide prevention, including publications, peer-reviewed research studies, curricula and web-based resources.

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is a web-based resource of information for veterans.

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