A battle on the home-front, the VA talks suicide among nation’s veterans

September is suicide Awarness month and for many military service members, returning home from combat was one of the toughest times they had to face during deployments.

Although thoughts of home drive most veterans during deployments, the actual process of returning to “civilian life” can be a difficult transition and many veterans continue a battle here on the home-front. It’s a battle most cannot see, and one that too many veterans are losing. 

Post traumatic stress syndrome, depression, survivor’s guilt, self-blame for mission loss and traumatic brain injuries are just some of the most common problems that plague veteran’s mental health and lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.   

According to the 2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, completed by the U.S. Veterans Administration, the number of Veteran suicides exceeded 6,000 each year from 2008 to 2017 and among U.S. adults, the average number of suicides per day rose from 86.6 in 2005 to 124.4 in 2017. These numbers included 15.9 Veteran suicides per day in 2005 and 16.8 in 2017. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than Americans who never served in the military. For female veterans, the risk factor is 2.2 times more likely, according to the report.

The Sheridan VA Health Care System employs trained individuals that choose to face these challenges while standing beside veterans everyday. During an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Kayla Stevens informed listeners on the severity of the problem here in Wyoming. 

Stevens and Edgar Pretty On Top work with veterans everyday in the Suicide Prevention Office at the Sheridan VA Medical Center.

Sometimes people just want someone to talk with and gain a perspective, while others lose hope for a future. Stevens and Pretty On Top create lifelines for veterans as well as crisis plans; a list of activities they can engage in and a list of individuals the veteran trusts and can speak with during times when they feel themselves developing suicidal thoughts.   

If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, call 1-800-273-8255 and (veterans press 1) or text 838255 for help. 

People can also visit Maketheconnection.net, BeThereForVeterans.com or chat online with someone at VeteranCrisisline.net.