Season 2 Episode #7: On Veteran Suicide

Suicide rates among veterans has substantially increased in the past decade. A third of veterans are likely to have considered suicide themselves or have been exposed to the phenomenon through other people who have served with them. The consequences of these increasing rates are not felt only within the veterans’ community but stretch far wider for society in general. Students at The Bush School of Government and Public Service conducted research on prevention mechanisms for suicide among veterans, from policy changes to nonprofit work. Togeher with the host they provide an overview of the data available, resources put in place from the public and non-public sector, as well as offer recommendations on tackling policies and initiatives to help veterans deal with PTSD, stress, and post-service re-integration in society. Sources: To read the PAWS Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2327 Stop Soldier Suicide: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/ Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ Florid State University Research on Suicide: http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/bul-bul0000084.pdf CDC Suicide data: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/index.html Latest Veterans Affairs Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/2016suicidedatareport.pdf To report on suicide for veterans visit this link: http://reportingonsuicide.org/ On more information regarding the 22 Push Ups challenge read: https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/what-is-the-22-push-up-challenge-raising-awareness-for-veterans-suicide-preventi.html For more information on the Veteran’s Choice Program: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/VCP/index.asp