Suicidality
Suicidality
Transcript
The problem of suicidality in veterans is real and merits particular attention within any discussion of veteran health issues. There is no one strategy to prevent veteran suicide, but recognizing when a veteran is considering harming themselves and making an appropriate referral to guide them to help gives the best chance of preventing a tragedy.
From 2005 through 2017, more than 10 veterans committed suicide for every serviceman or woman killed in the Global War on Terror. Recent data from the VA found that suicide risk is 22% higher for veterans than for non-veteran adults. Among women, the increased risk is a staggering 150%.
While most veterans suicides are among those of age 50 and above, the rate of increase for veterans aged 18 to 34 is growing rapidly, more than doubling from 2006 to 2017.
The most important step that we can take to identify when a veteran is considering self-harm is formal suicide prevention training. Many campuses offer such training. Check with the mental health professionals on your campus to see what is available. One of the key takeaways of such training is that talking about suicide will not lead to suicide. It does not give someone the idea of suicide nor does it encourage someone to act on those thoughts.
In addition to campus resources, the VA provides the crisis line as a confidential, 24/7. Resource, serving veterans, service members, National Guard and reserve, and their families. 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at this website. Support for the deaf or hard of hearing is available at 1-800-799-4889. Have this information handy, perhaps on your cell phone so that you can readily provide it to a veteran in crisis if needed.
If a veteran suicide does occur on campus, support others and communicate according to best practices. Reach out to the entire campus population with information about resources to support those who are grieving. Including information about the VA crisis line is one support for veterans.
Use all available networks on campus, including veteran center directors and other personnel, the campus certifying officials, veterans student organizations, and others to make sure to reach as many veterans as possible. In all communications be informative without being sensationalistic.
Never revealing the method of suicide or referring to veteran suicide as an epidemic. Follow the guidelines provided by the VA safe messaging best practices to assist in messaging effectively.
From 2005 through 2017, more than 10 veterans committed suicide for every serviceman or woman killed in the Global War on Terror. Recent data from the VA found that suicide risk is 22% higher for veterans than for non-veteran adults. Among women, the increased risk is a staggering 150%.
While most veterans suicides are among those of age 50 and above, the rate of increase for veterans aged 18 to 34 is growing rapidly, more than doubling from 2006 to 2017.
The most important step that we can take to identify when a veteran is considering self-harm is formal suicide prevention training. Many campuses offer such training. Check with the mental health professionals on your campus to see what is available. One of the key takeaways of such training is that talking about suicide will not lead to suicide. It does not give someone the idea of suicide nor does it encourage someone to act on those thoughts.
In addition to campus resources, the VA provides the crisis line as a confidential, 24/7. Resource, serving veterans, service members, National Guard and reserve, and their families. 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at this website. Support for the deaf or hard of hearing is available at 1-800-799-4889. Have this information handy, perhaps on your cell phone so that you can readily provide it to a veteran in crisis if needed.
If a veteran suicide does occur on campus, support others and communicate according to best practices. Reach out to the entire campus population with information about resources to support those who are grieving. Including information about the VA crisis line is one support for veterans.
Use all available networks on campus, including veteran center directors and other personnel, the campus certifying officials, veterans student organizations, and others to make sure to reach as many veterans as possible. In all communications be informative without being sensationalistic.
Never revealing the method of suicide or referring to veteran suicide as an epidemic. Follow the guidelines provided by the VA safe messaging best practices to assist in messaging effectively.