Every day, at least 22 veterans take their own lives due to PTSD
PTSD is the deadliest wound of war. It is the root cause of most Veteran suicides. Direct intervention is needed to stem the alarming tide of a reported 22 Veteran suicides daily. Since only 22 of 50 states report, by extension the actual number could even be as high as 50 daily.
While the Vietnam Memorial Wall lists 58,195 names, there have been more than 210,000 Vietnam Veteran suicides reported. Of these, an estimated 90% to 95% are from PTSD. In Iraq and Afghanistan, too, the suicide rate has exceeded casualties from fighting.
In 2020, a CDC survey 40% of first responders reported struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues because of the extreme COVID-19 stay-at-home and social-distancing orders. And for those already suffering from PTSD symptoms, the block to vital social connectedness can be the final deadly straw.
The depth of despondency often goes even further. The military attracts many who have suffered Adverse Childhood Experiences. ACEs leave a deep, often buried, emotional wound that can burst open explosively when compounded with the effects of combat trauma, repeated gruesome exposure to tragedies, and now unbearable isolation.
Suicide is especially pandemic among Veterans over 55 who take that final desperate step at a far higher rate even than those returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. And it’s not only combat Vets who suffer and may commit suicide, but many who served in other branches as well. Even stateside, including men and women suffering from military sexual trauma (MST).
First Responder PTSD suicides are also alarming at 10% higher than the general population. A 2015 national survey of 4,022 firefighters, police officers, EMS and emergency room workers found over 6% of those surveyed has attempted to take their lives.
There are no statistics for casualty rates among overwhelmed, depressed, confused and grieved spouses and children. But for every Veteran or First Responder who suffers from PTSD, a minimum of five family members are affected.
If the PTSD goes untreated, those close to the sufferer are highly likely to be diagnosed with secondary PTSD from the enormous responsibilities and helplessness a caregiver feels . . . or at times direct trauma from physical and mental abuse.
The children are often forgotten in these scenarios. There is a need for mentors who will provide love and support for children lost in confusion, pain and ACEs from what their parents are going through. They work to restore the children’s joy, lives, and family and to prevent them from becoming future casualties of depression, PTSD, even death.
We are here to stop the pandemic rate of our soldiers and first responders’ suicides,
and we need your help.
If you or someone you know suffers with PTSD, MST
Call today (706) 403-1214 or email
Roger@nobodyhealsalone.org
Karmai@nobodyhealsalone.org