Blog Post

DOD Releases October Suicide Data
Posted by Bryan Maxwell on November 19 2010

Today, the Army released its totals of confirmed and potential suicides for the month of October.  Among active-duty service members, there were nine potential suicides with two confirmed.  Among the non-activated reserve component, there were 16 potential suicides with zero confirmed. After investigation, the Army also confirmed six suicides among active-duty service members in September.

While both the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs have made strides to reach more injured service members, untreated psychological injuries including PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury have led many troops and veterans to take their own lives.

To end the suicide epidemic, IAVA continues to call on the VA and DOD to address this problem. We need a nationwide campaign to combat suicide and promote the use of DOD and VA services such as Vet Centers and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Until there is a national campaign targeting every service member and veteran, many will continue to fall through the cracks.

For more information on this issue read IAVA’s Issue Report: Invisible Wounds: Psychological and Neurological Injuries Confront a New Generation of Veterans.

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