Veteran Suicide in the United States
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Average Number of Veteran Suicides Per Day
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Estimated Veteran Suicides Per Year
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Percentage of how much more likely female veterans are to commit suicide than civilian women
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Per the 2016 Military Times, there are over 8,400 veterans a year committing suicide. This averages out to about 23 veterans a day. TWENTY THREE Veterans a day. There is research that supports this number may be even higher. If a veteran overdoses on prescribed medications or illegal drugs, there is a good possibility that the death may be classified as unknown or as an accidental overdose. Many studies suggest this number may actually be over 35.
Veterans make up an estimated 14% of all confirmed suicides, despite the fact that veterans only make up 8% of the population, according to the VA. Female veterans have also been found to be 250% more likely to commit suicide than civilian women.
These are men and women who fought for our freedoms. These are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, friends and loved ones. They have put themselves in harm’s way, in horrible situations, in horrible places so that those of us back home do not have to face those evils. It is unacceptable to us that when these brave men and women return home they are not provided whatever they need to return to a normal and healthy enjoyment of life.
We spend untold billions of dollars on equipment, food, travel, weaponry and ammunition, uniforms, clothes, tents and housing yet we allow these heroes to just walk off the bases after discharge into a world that may no longer make sense to them. EVERY soldier who comes home should be put through a trauma resolution protocol. Instead, they are guilted and/or shamed into signing their release papers stating that they have not experienced trauma and are ready to reintegrate back into society. Our veterans have risked their lives to fight for us. Now it is our turn to step up and fight for them.
Veterans make up an estimated 14% of all confirmed suicides, despite the fact that veterans only make up 8% of the population, according to the VA. Female veterans have also been found to be 250% more likely to commit suicide than civilian women.
These are men and women who fought for our freedoms. These are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, friends and loved ones. They have put themselves in harm’s way, in horrible situations, in horrible places so that those of us back home do not have to face those evils. It is unacceptable to us that when these brave men and women return home they are not provided whatever they need to return to a normal and healthy enjoyment of life.
We spend untold billions of dollars on equipment, food, travel, weaponry and ammunition, uniforms, clothes, tents and housing yet we allow these heroes to just walk off the bases after discharge into a world that may no longer make sense to them. EVERY soldier who comes home should be put through a trauma resolution protocol. Instead, they are guilted and/or shamed into signing their release papers stating that they have not experienced trauma and are ready to reintegrate back into society. Our veterans have risked their lives to fight for us. Now it is our turn to step up and fight for them.
