Veteran Suicide Awareness
By: Jonathan Cheek, Intern
In the United States, our freedom and safety are protected by the countless men and women who are serving and have served in the military; however, these men and women are bound to their own freedom in most cases when they return home from active duty. Combat veterans are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide compared to non-veterans. While on active duty, these men and women are exposed on a continual basis daily to high levels of trauma, stress, injuries, and mind-blowing experiences from combat or even routine drills. Some veterans have difficulties with integrating back into society based on what they have experienced. Veterans or active-duty soldiers can experience feelings of isolation, hopelessness, depression, anger, and loneliness. Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, manic-depressive disorder, physical injuries, and traumatic brain injury are common in soldiers returning from combat. These numerous factors can increase the risk of suicide.
When combat veterans return home from active duty, they are more likely to begin using and abusing certain drugs and alcohol. It is very common for soldiers that are returning home to turn to alcohol and substance use due to the fact that these items are easily accessible. Alcohol and substances are seen as coping behaviors to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events, or a set of circumstances. People with PTSD have intense and disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that lasts long after the traumatic event has ended. Combat veterans may relive different events through flashbacks or nightmares very frequently. They may feel intense sadness, fear, isolation, or anger and become detached from society or important people in their lives because many feel as if no one understands them or what they experienced. PTSD can cause physical problems which makes them more likely to medicate with alcohol or other substances to relieve their pain. Using substances and alcohol to combat PTSD simply leads to people avoiding their problems rather than seeking professional help. Sometimes, veterans feel if they seek help, they will be classified as crazy or that they are making things up. The stigma from seeking help is always at the forefront of their minds. Veterans that use substances and drink excessively are twice as likely to die by suicide than other veterans.
In the United States, an estimated 17 military veterans die by suicide every day and this number continues to rise. Since September 11, 2001, over 30,000 veterans have died by suicide which is four times more than the number of United States military that have died in actual combat in the Iraq and Afghanistan War. Along with the physical and mental effects of PTSD, stress from economic, legal and relationship issues can be an added influence in a soldier's decision to commit suicide. Suicide in America is not talked about enough due to a stigma that is attached to it. Many people don't always find it easy to open up and talk about their struggles. One of the first steps is always asking for help and unfortunately, many soldiers do not do this.
If you or someone you know are in a crisis or need help immediately, please call 911 or the Veteran Crisis Center by dialing 988 and then press 1 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8235. It is okay to seek help about any concerns.
Resources
https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/substance_abuse_vet.asp
