Issues and Campaigns

Prevent Suicide

Suicide is one of the most pressing issues facing veterans and active duty service members. In 2011, the Army reported 278 suspected suicides. Since the Army started releasing its suicide numbers publicly in January 2009, 863 soldiers have potentially taken their own lives. The full scope of the problem for veterans is largely unknown. The VA estimates that more than 6,000 veterans—or about 18 per day—committed suicide in 2009 and 950 veterans a month attempted suicide. However, we still have no hard data to confirm this.  We can combat this problem by changing the way suicides are reported, particularly among veterans, to fully understand the extent of the problem. We can work to connect veterans in crisis with the appropriate resources and relieve some of the underlying causes of suicide such as joblessness, homelessness, family problems and mental health injuries.

The task force recognized efforts made by all military branches to prevent suicide, but concluded that they are a falling short because the programs are not centrally organized.   The rush to respond to the challenge and the lack of strategic planning has led to unintended consequences.  These include inefficient programs and missed prevention opportunities. 

To address this fundamental problem the task force recommended creating a “Suicide Prevention Policy Division” at the Office of the Secretary of Defense to centralize planning and implementation. Additionally, the task force had 49 findings and made 76 targeted recommendations, including:

• Reduce stress on the force
• Focus on overall service member well-being (mind, body, and spirit)
• Develop a comprehensive stigma reduction campaign plan
• Hold leaders accountable to ensure positive command climate
• Develop skills-based training regarding suicide prevention
• Coordinate and leverage the strengths of installation and community support services for both Active and Reserve component service members
• Standardize suicide investigations
• Support and fund ongoing DoD suicide prevention research

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. The recently released task force report is a step in the right direction, but until there is a national campaign targeting every service member and veteran, many will continue to fall through the cracks.

IAVA STATEMENTS ON MILITARY & VETERAN SUICIDE

• State of the Union: IAVA Calls on the President to Address Suicide and Unemployment
• In Memoriam: Clay Hunt
• National Guard Suicides Double in 2010
• Congress Passes Broad Defense Bill Supporting Troops, New Veterans
• President Obama Says the Right Things for Vets, Now We Need Results
• IAVA Visits White House to Convey Frustrations to President Obama

RECENT TESTIMONIES BEFORE CONGRESS

• IAVA Legislative Priorities for 2011
• Healing the Physical Injuries of War
• Examining the Progress of Suicide Prevention Outreach Efforts at the VA
• VA Mental Health Care

IAVA IN THE MEDIA

• PBS NewsHour: Condolence Letter Policy Shift Opens Conversation on Military Suicide
• FOX 5 DC: Tom Tarantino on National PTSD Awareness Day
• MSNBC: Tom Tarantino Discussing Afghanistan with Tamron Hall
• CNN: Paul Rieckhoff on Preventing Veteran Suicides
• NBC Nightly News: Wounds of War

MONTHLY ANALYSIS OF ARMY SUICIDES

• May Suicide Numbers and Barriers to Mental Health Treatment
• Army Reports Highest Suicide Numbers in 2011

Read IAVA’s recommendations to the White House, Congress and local leaders in the private and public secctors to address the growing suicide problem. Or follow @IAVA on Twitter for new updates about this issue.