In a recent study done by the Watson Institute at Brown University, researchers took a deep dive into the rising suicide rates in our nation’s active-duty military and Veterans in the United States. In general, suicide rates in America have steadily increased year over year. And what researchers have found is that “among active military personnel and veterans of the post-9/11 wars, the suicide rate is even higher, outpacing average Americans.” Their findings look at the multiple factors that lead to military suicides; some of their findings have a direct correlation to veterans who have had “high exposure to trauma, stress, military culture and training, and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life.”
According to the Watson Institute over 30,177 active-duty personnel and veterans of the post-9/11 wars have died by suicide over the past 20 years. Valor Technical Cleaning is a Veteran Owned company and we unfortunately have had a front-row seat to the rising suicides across the United States which is truly heartbreaking. We partner with and support many Veteran groups to help prevent suicide in our nation and to make sure our service men and women have proper access to mental health programs. The CDC has recently put out new strategies with USO to help prevent suicide.
- Strengthen access and delivery of suicide care
- Create protective environments
- Promote connectedness
- Teach coping and problem-solving skills
- Identify and support people at risk
- Lessen harm and prevent future risk
Here at Valor, we offer our employees direct access to mental health programs. We also have resources like the Valor Voice and services for service members, law enforcement, victims advocates, and coroners who have exposure to trauma and stress. We want to provide resources to prevent suicides for both citizens and active duty/veterans. Please reach out to access our app for more information, podcasts, white papers, and training. If you are a Veteran or know someone that is having suicidal thoughts or needs access to mental health, please also call the Veteran suicide prevention hotline available 24/7: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat live, or text 838255 for immediate support. A caring, qualified responder will listen and help.