Shocking New Statistics on Veteran Suicides

In combat, soldiers develop a unique outlook on death. To the combat veteran, causing death is a means to an end, an unfailing method of stopping an enemy. What is equally true and sad, is that many of our returning veterans (far too many), end up declaring war on themselves after they return home, and find themselves unable to understand their new battle. In order to end their struggle, some of them turn to suicide, the only proven method for stopping their enemy.

In a staggering new statistic, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are committing suicide at the rate of eighteen per day, according to a Navy Times article. According to this statistic, that would be a total of 6,570 veterans per year. That number really hits home. As a nation, we have lost a combined total of 5,401 service members in Iraq and Afghanistan (Source). That means that, if the numbers are accurate, we are losing more service men and women at home than we are overseas. To be exact, there are 1,169 more suicide EVERY YEAR than there have been KIA in the almost nine years of combat following 9/11.

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How can this happen? How does a soldier go from superhuman to hopeless? We are taught several ways to survive in combat. We can assault a trench complex, or clear a building with no problem. That is part of our job. The trouble is, once we get home, there's a void. All of the adrenaline, the action, it's all over. Life can too easily become overwhelming, and hard to understand. Everyday tasks can be daunting. After time, guilt sets in because we are home, and have to eventually hang up our uniforms, and become human again. Everybody wants to be Superman, but nobody wants to be Clark Kent. So, what is the thought process that takes us to considering suicide? For me, during my personal experience, I can remember thinking that " one more kill can solve it all." I called theSuicide Prevention Lifeline for Veterans in a time of need and they helped me. Now I know that suicide is completely wrong. There is always more to live for than there is to die for. If there is one thing that every combat veteran can agree on, it is that killing does not solve anything, it only creates more killing.

If you suspect that someone you know is contemplating suicide, get them help anyway you can. Visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org for more information and advice.

We are losing far too many of our men and women overseas, we have got to stop losing them here at home. We owe it to each and every American that comes back from combat to make sure that they are cared for. Service members are NOT statistics, numbers or funding shortages. We have endured the most unnatural aspect of human life, and many of us have trouble letting go afterward. And, for too many of us, death had become a default setting. We need to help our veterans understand that once they get home, they are wanted, and that we are here to help them.

~ J.R.

* Special thanks to DanPaque via Twitter for bringing this statistic to our attention.

Originally posted on PTSDdiary.com. 3/12/10