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VETERAN SUICIDE: A PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY

Veteran suicide is a serious problem in the United States. In 2022, an estimated 6,220 veterans died by suicide. This is a rate that is 1.5 times higher than the national average.

There are many reasons why veterans are at an increased risk of suicide. Some of these reasons include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a brain injury that can be caused by a blow to the head. Symptoms of TBI can include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings.
• Substance abuse. Veterans are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs than the general population. Substance abuse can lead to mental health problems, which can increase the risk of suicide.
• Isolation. Veterans who feel isolated or disconnected from their community are more likely to consider suicide.
• Financial problems. Veterans who are struggling financially are more likely to consider suicide.

If you are a veteran who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you. You can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, or text 838255. You can also visit the Veterans Crisis Line website at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net.

There are also many organizations that provide support to veterans who are at risk of suicide. Some of these organizations include:

• The American Legion: https://www.legion.org
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars: https://www.vfw.org
• The Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

If you know a veteran who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to them and offer your support. You can also encourage them to reach out to one of the resources listed above. Suicide is a preventable tragedy, and we all have a role to play in preventing it.

Here are some additional resources for veterans and their families:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a variety of resources for veterans who are at risk of suicide, including:

• The Veterans Crisis Line
• Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health services
• The VA suicide prevention website

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups and other resources for veterans and their families:

• NAMI Veterans Resource Center
• NAMI Military Service Family Support

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) offers resources for veterans and their families, including:

• AFSP Veterans Resource Guide
• AFSP Veterans Suicide Prevention Toolkit

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

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