September is designated as Suicide Prevention Month.

Suicide in the Veteran community is something that we at Clear Path consider in the design and delivery of programs and services.

Some sobering statistics:

In United States 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.

Between 2005 and 2017, 78,875 veterans took their own lives, according to the most recent data from the VA — MORE THAN THE NUMBER of Americans killed in each major conflict except for World War II and the Civil War.

The reasons are not fully understood, but the numbers reflect a burden with heavy wartime demands after almost two decades of post-9/11 wars. Some explanations from studies, news reports, and experts have pointed to a post-traumatic stress disorder, misuse of medication, traumatic brain injuries, financial issues, family problems, military sexual assault, and combat experiences.

What does this mean to you? That part of the burden of stopping Veteran Suicide relies on Veterans helping Veterans and Community Based Strategies.

So, what can you do? Check on your Veteran friends, know the signs of somebody thinking about suicide, know where to turn for help- be there!

Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1

Text 838255

Chat online https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat

Local centers near you for assistance https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/local-resources

For more information on community-based strategies for helping Veterans please contact Clear Path for Veterans New England www.clearpathne.org