Veteran's Post: Suicide on the rise for young veterans

The January 2014 Suicide Data Update has been released by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the news is not good. Suicides are up in two groups of veterans who utilized the VA health system: young males (ages 18-24) and women. The rate of female veterans’ suicides has climbed 31.2 percent for VA users. Does that not pierce your heart?

The 2014 update took the 2012 report, which covered 2009 to 2011, and compared to the current figures. There are pockets of positive news. Taken in an overall trend, the rate of suicide among male veterans aged 35-64 who utilize VA hospital programs has decreased by 30 percent, and is down 16 percent for all ages. (The overall rate among those who don’t use the VA for help has increased by 60 percent.)

One thing is clear based on the figures for all male veterans: Getting help at the VA does work. If you’ve had thoughts of suicide, call this hotline number 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. Or send a text message to 38255. If you have access to a computer, go to veteranscrisisline.net and you can chat online. You can read the warning signs, take a self-quiz, check resources and more. If you’re near a VA facility, go there. Tell them the truth about how you’re feeling. Ask to be tested for PTSD, if you haven’t been already. Tell them you’d like to try the Hope Box, the customized cell phone app (designed by the VA in Portland, Ore., and currently in clinical trials #NCT01982773 at ClinicalTrials. gov).

Your best bet is to call that hotline phone number — right now. Don’t wait. They can help you. You CAN get better.

Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected]