Suicide is a major, yet preventable problem in the United States. Sadly, Veterans comprise nearly a quarter of suicide deaths in the U.S. According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, it’s estimated that between 17 and 22 veterans or service members take their lives daily. 

On average each death affects 135 individuals - family members, coworkers, friends, etc. If you do some quick math, this means nearly 3,000 lives are affected by veteran suicide daily.       

Although veteran suicide occurs for a number of reasons, there are several causes our community should be aware of in order to help prevent these rates from rising even higher. Veterans are most vulnerable in the first three months following military service, although suicide rates among veterans remains elevated for years after reintegration into civilian life. Veterans have reported difficulty in several areas during their transition into civilian life, including troubles with productivity at work, inability to perform chores or take care of health needs, and complications while interacting with spouses, family members, and friends. Veterans frequently face unique challenges, including exposure to combat, physical injuries or disabilities incurred during service, and the stress of transitioning from military to civilian life that contribute to  higher incidences of depression compared to the general population.     

There are multiple existing organizations that prioritize helping Veterans in our community facing difficulties like these. The American Legion's Be The One program trains civilians to help veterans who may be at risk of suicide. The program aims to reduce the stigma around mental health treatment and encourage people to take action. The Be The One program provides various resources to do so, like peer-to-peer support and resources in local communities. The program aims to teach individuals how to identify signs of risks and what to do if they see a veteran who may be at risk.