VA Conducts Largest Analysis of Veterans Suicides

Dear Veterans, Family Members, and Readers,

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conducted a comprehensive analysis of Veteran suicide rates in the US.  This extends the VA’s knowledge from a previous report in 2010 where the VA estimated 22 Veterans committed suicide every day.  The new analysis shows that in 2014, an average of 20 Veterans a day died from suicide.  The final report will be published later this month.  Key findings from the study are:

• 65% of all Veterans who died from suicide are 50 years or older
• Veterans accounted for 18% of all deaths from suicide in the US, a decrease from 22% in 2010
• Since 2001, adult suicide rates in US increased 23% while Veteran suicide rate increased 32% in that same time period, making risk of suicide 21% greater for Veterans
• Since 2001, the rate of suicide of Veterans who use VA services has increased 8.8%, while Veterans who do not use VA services increased by 38.6%
• In that same time period, the rate of suicide of female Veterans who used VA services increased 4.6% while female Veterans who did not use VA services increased 98%Immediate help for Veterans and family members/friends concerned for a Veteran is available at www.veteranscrisisline.net or calling the Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or texting at 838255.Very Respectfully,Traill County Veterans Service OfficerOffice Cell: 701-430-7059emily.cost@co.traill.nd.uswww.traillvso.com
• https://www.facebook.com/VeteransServiceOfficeTraillCO
• Fax: 701-636-4415
• Phone: 701-636-4414
• Emily Cost
•             I wanted to keep you posted that I am projecting to be on maternity leave from August 29^th to November 18^th. The North Dakota Department of Veteran Affairs is planning to provide office hours for help on Tuesday and Thursdays while I am on leave. These dates for leave are currently tentative, and I will continue to keep everyone posted as the time gets closer for Baby Cost to be born.
• The VA is taking new measures to prevent suicide to include same-day access for Veterans with urgent mental health needs at all their points of care (medical care facilities, Vet Centers, VA Crisis Line and other outreach points). The VA is also planning on expanding telemental health care, hiring 60 new crisis intervention responders for the Veterans Crisis Line, and building new collaboratives with other researchers and healthcare providers.