Work Together to Stop Veteran Suicides [Opinion]

With Veteran suicide rates in the National Guard and Reserve reaching almost 40% of that total this is a military wide crisis. [Opinion]

Each and every day 50 military veterans die by suicide. This is a national crisis and needs national attention.

The community needs to step up and step up now. This crisis is not limited to combat veterans. Nobody is blaming the Veterans Administration for this crisis.

With Veteran suicide rates in the National Guard and Reserve reaching almost 40% of that total this is a military wide crisis.

Our country is home to 18.5 million men and women who have earned the title of Veteran by their service in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force.

Roughly half of America’s veterans are enrolled with the Veterans Administration and seeking medical attention.

Mental health professionals are trying to meet the needs of veterans who are struggling. They can’t do it all. Not for profits and churches are also stepping up. Each has its own methods for reaching out to save the lives of our veterans and preventing suicide.

Churches are using group therapy centered on a faith-based approach. Group therapy by some nonprofits is also having an impact and saving lives. These programs focus on music and outdoor extreme sports and activities that unit fellow veterans.

Is money the answer? No! But money helps more than the government efforts. These small or micro level programs rely on funds from regional governments. They also rely on business to donate facilities and equipment. Business has stepped up and so have local governments.

America owes a great debt to those 1% of Americans that make it possible for the 99% of Americans to enjoy lives at home. It is the sacrifices they make to serve that got them in this state.

Our president, Senate and congress, governors and state representatives must continue to step up and make tools available for our heroes and their families to deal with the new mental health challenges service members and veteran face.

Let’s work together to stop suicide and look at all the models with success in suicide prevention. It’s the least we can do!