Advocates aim to reduce suicide rates among veterans

A recent report found that 22 veterans committed suicide per day in 2010 — a trend advocates aim to alleviate through prevention efforts nationwide and locally.

The report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found that while the total number of deaths by suicide in the U.S. has increased, the percentage of those reported as veterans has remained relatively constant in recent years.

It estimates that more than 69 percent of veteran suicides are occurring among those aged 50 years and older.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki said in a news release that the mental health of veterans is one of the department’s highest priorities.

“We have more work to do and we will use this data to continue to strengthen our suicide prevention efforts and ensure all veterans receive the care they have earned and deserve,” he said.

UNC graduate student Frank Segal, captain of the Chapel Hill chapter of a national group called Stop Soldier Suicide, said it is important to provide veterans with the resources they need to deal with crises.

“A lot of these people are taught to deal with problems in a violent manner,” he said.

Segal said this is an unfortunate consequence of the type of training service members receive.

He said the first step in preventing suicides is to raise awareness and ensure communities have a better understanding of these issues.

While the percentage of reported veteran suicides has remained constant in recent years, advocates say communities must continue to be vigilant in reaching out to veterans.

A December investigation that preceded the report found that, after sampling 10 high-risk patient records from the VA medical center in Fayetteville, nine veterans did not receive a proper follow-up after their discharge.

Robin DeMark, public affairs officer for the Fayetteville center, said high-risk patients must be evaluated weekly for 30 days after leaving — but these nine patients were not properly evaluated in the last two weeks.

This report, she said, provided the center with an opportunity to reevaluate its policies.

“Our health care teams are here to ensure that no veteran goes unserved at any time,” she said.

DeMark said that any veteran in crisis has the opportunity to utilize several resources available 24/7, including a mental health unit located in every VA emergency room across the state, and a suicide prevention hotline.

She said the VA produces a reference card for soldiers, veterans and their families that helps with peer-to-peer support.

“The mental health services and outreach across the VA have increased significantly,” she said.

Segal said the state has a large veteran population that tends to gravitate towards the Triangle area, and his organization is currently raising money to expand and spread awareness.

“The first thing I’d like to see is that people know what’s going on,” he said.

Contact the desk editor at state@dailytarheel.com