Suicides by Veterans Average 18 a Day

Sunday, April 25, 2010

An average of 18 veterans kills themselves each day, according to new statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, revealing the serious problem the nation has with caring for those coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq.

 
About 950 ex-soldiers attempt suicide each month, with 7% being successful. Of those who survive their first try, 11% attempt to kill themselves again within nine months.
 
Of the 18 who die each day, only five are estimated to be under care from the VA. This fact has given military officials hope that if they are able to expand mental health services, the overall suicide rate may go down.
 
According to Secretary of Veteran Affairs Eric Shinseki, “Of the more than 30,000 suicides in this country each year, fully 20 percent of them are acts by veterans.”  Veterans make up slightly more than 10% of the adult population of the United States.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
18 Veterans Commit Suicide Each Day (by Rick Maze, Army Times)
Suicide Rate Surged Among Veterans (by Eli Clifton, Inter Press Service)

Comments

Tyson 14 years ago
The 18/day figure keeps getting thrown around without enough substantiation. I agree the rate is far too high and very concerning. but even your numbers don't add up. 7% of 950 is nowhere near 18/day. please explain where and how you are getting these numbers. thanks

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