Maia Institute’s Post

- 22 veterans commit suicide daily, a figure based on limited data from 21 states and the Department of Veterans Affairs, potentially underestimating the true number. - Cases like Levi Derby, who wasn't counted due to not being in the VA system, and Illinois not reporting data, highlight gaps in tracking veteran suicides. - Underreporting issues stem from a lack of uniform death reporting systems and challenges in verifying veteran status, with some deaths not recognized as suicides due to the circumstances. - An investigation in Texas revealed many uncounted veteran suicides, suggesting a significant underreporting issue nationally. - Despite veterans constituting about 10% of the U.S. population, they account for nearly one in five suicides, with the rate for veterans at about 30 per 100,000 compared to 14 per 100,000 for civilians. - The VA's efforts to improve suicide data accuracy are hindered by inconsistencies and limited state collaboration, with significant portions of suicides potentially overlooked. - Combat stress and military sexual assaults are notable factors contributing to the higher suicide risk among veterans, with older veterans, particularly Vietnam War returnees, facing increased risks. #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #VA #MilitaryFamilies

Something to think about

Every day, 17 Veterans lose their lives to suicide—a heartbreaking statistic that demands our immediate attention. These are our heroes, our friends, and our family members, and we owe it to them to take action now. As clinicians, it is our duty to have those tough conversations. Asking direct questions like "Have you thought about killing yourself?" can make all the difference. It's a difficult question, but one that could save a life. Utilizing the ASQ (Ask Suicide-Screening Questions) assessment during every intake can help identify those at risk and ensure they receive the support they need. This simple, yet powerful tool can guide us in providing the care and intervention our Veterans deserve. Let’s stand together and commit to making a difference. Reach out to Stop Soldier Suicide for resources and support. Our Veterans fought for us—it's time we fight for them. #WaypointVets #SuicidePrevention #Veterans #MentalHealth #StopSoldierSuicide #ASQAssessment #SupportOurHeroes

#Thankyou for highlighting this one, these are truly horrifying statistics. Despite living in so-called #civilised times, the majority of developed nations still require a segment of their population to serve in the #military. These brave individuals are trained to fight and are expected to do so whenever and wherever it is deemed necessary, to protect their country's interests and way of life. The brutal reality of war means many will die, and even more will return burdened with profound #physical and #mental trauma. #War is never pretty, yet it seems many of us are becoming increasingly #desensitised to the suffering it causes, perhaps due to the constant stream of human misery broadcast into our homes twenty four hours a day. Unfortunately, unlike television viewers who can switch off the news, many war veterans cannot escape the haunting memories that replay in their minds. For those who survive combat, the battle with #PTSD upon returning home can be just as #devastating as the war itself—a battle that as shown by these statistics too many are still tragically losing. If we, as a society, are prepared to train people to fight and die in distant lands, we must not abandon them when they return. Just as we invest in preparing them for war, we should invest even more in helping them #heal. Offering genuine #compassion, #kindness, #empathy, and #support to all veterans is crucial. Rather than simply "Thanking them for their service" and moving on, we need to #listen to their #needs and #feelings. A vital next step towards change is encouraging politicians to properly fund #mental health services for #veterans (some are now proposing this could even be funded through additional taxation on large defence firms and weapons manufacturers). Only by addressing these issues can we hope to help #veterans lead fuller, happier lives. PTSD Foundation Of America PTSD UK Mind Samaritans, Inc. Veterans Helping Veterans Mental Health Foundation Veterans Aid Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service Veterans Benefits The American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs

Another milestone achieved in our remarkable joint venture with Trilogy Federal, Tribility! Thrilled to announce our latest win with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Business Oversight (OBO), dedicated to advancing suicide prevention initiatives among our Veterans. This work is not just important, it's vital! According to the VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the unadjusted suicide rate for Veterans was 23.3 per 100,000 in 2001 and 33.9 per 100,000 in 2021. This is a sharp contrast to the data for non-veteran U.S. adults where the suicide rate was 12.6 per 100,000 in 2001 and 16.7 per 100,000 in 2021. This continual rise in already higher numbers underscores the urgent need for effective suicide prevention efforts targeted toward Veterans. Together, we're making meaningful strides toward supporting those who have sacrificed so much for our nation. #Tribility #SuicidePrevention #VeteransHelpingVeterans

💪 Suicide Prevention: Let’s Face the Fight Together 💪 Since 2001, over 125,000 veterans have died by suicide. Veteran suicide rates are 71.8% higher than those of non-veteran adults. The reasons behind this are complex - financial struggles, challenges with employment, isolation, and difficulty transitioning to civilian life. While many veterans thrive after service, far too many still face invisible wounds. A core military value is that no one is left behind, and this fight is no different 🇺🇸 Learn More 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eNwnCDwW #GotYour6 #neverforget

Freedom isn’t free. It’s a reminder for us to take stock of what we are doing to give back for the ultimate sacrifice of so many. Let’s not forget those that pass on our watch when they come back home. Did you know that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for post-9/11 veterans? Shockingly, 131k soldiers have died by suicide since 2001. We owe it to them to do better. Join us in supporting Stop Soldier Suicide, an organization dedicated to preventing military suicide. Learn more about their work and how you can help: https://lnkd.in/eMDCikTg. Let’s show our gratitude and give back to those who have given so much. Together, we can stop the stigma around mental health and suicide prevention for veterans. #gratitude #giveback #Veterans #mentalhealth #suicideprevention #Veteransmentalhealth #stopthestigma

🚨 Mil2Vet Veteran News Update! 🚨 03 June, 2024 - Get the latest updates in under 60 seconds! Foreclosure Moratorium Extended: VA urges extending the foreclosure moratorium for VA-guaranteed loans until Dec 31, 2024. No Copays for Mental Health Visits: Veterans won’t pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health visits each year through 2027. Healthcare Gaps for Veterans in US Territories: GAO report highlights significant healthcare gaps for Veterans in U.S. territories and Pacific islands. #mil2vet #veterancommunity #fyp #veteranresources #connection #Veterans #MilitaryNews #SupportOurTroops #VAUpdates

This report is encouraging. So much more work to be done. Really appreciate the over 6500 Watch Standers that are driving this reduction. If anyone in my network cares to join the fight, the training is free, can be done online, and takes less than an hour: https://lnkd.in/eTpdcP4E