Help Is Continuously Available To Halt Veteran Suicides

By: Chuck Baker

(Nevada) — Years ago acclaimed author F. Scott Fitzgerald stated that he felt there were no second acts in American life. Time and history have proven him incorrect. In fact, Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Louise Erdrich says that today healthy individuals often find themselves having third acts. But when it involves select veterans who are experiencing difficulty with their lives, they don't always see it that way. Instead of attempting to move on and access their own second or third acts, they see suicide as the answer to ending their first act. And unfortunately, veterans and military suicides have recently continued to increase. But at the same time new methods of solidly tackling the problem are showing promise, and additional studies and programs are continually being developed close behind. The number of U.S. military suicides jumped 15 percent last year, fueled in part by the COVID-19 pandemic that added stress to already strained Army and Marine forces in particular. The Blinded Veterans Association reports that about 20 veterans take their own lives each day. The organization attributes that number to the horrors of war the soldiers have witnessed, and the heavy burden of adjusting to civilian life. Fortunately, on this past Veterans Day the United States has not longer involved in any on-going wars, and that may reduce the number of veterans suicides in the long run.

Yet while past methods of dealing with military and veterans suicide have tended to view the whole picture as one overall problem, more experts have come to realize that causality is not universal. Each individual has his or her own reasons for considering taking their lives. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters that “One of the things that is bedeviling about suicide is that it’s often very hard to connect dots in causality — what leads somebody to make that decision. It’s difficult to denote specific causality with suicide on an individual basis, let alone on an institutional basis.”

A new player in the race to understand veterans suicide is the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute established in 2021 through a grant from the Epstein Family Foundation. Its purpose is to improve the lives and livelihood of veterans by bringing together veterans, researchers, specific experts and community groups to, among other things, develop tools and other resources to better serve veterans. Institute co-director Rajeev Ramchand recently testified before the House Committee of Veterans Affairs about the need to better track data and prevent veteran suicide. And another wrinkle in possible cases of suicide has been identified by the International on Science and Impact of Cannabis. It reports that some peer-reviewed medical articles claim that the use of cannabis and marijuana can be cause for suicide, among other harmful results.

Nevadans across the State work together to identify service members, veterans, and their family members at risk for suicide. They strive to understand underlying risk factors for suicide, then expedite help and implement protective factors. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services has a dedicated Office for Suicide Prevention with information addressing veterans and every age group. The mission of the office is to reduce the rates of suicide and suicidal acts in Nevada through statewide collaborative efforts. Such efforts develop, implement and evaluate a State strategy that helps to advance the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Several Nevada cities have accepted the Mayor’s Challenge to prevent suicide among service members, veterans and their families in their locations. In the north the Truckee Meadows team made up of Reno, Sparks are on board. In the south, Las Vegas has also signed on with Winnemucca and Elko in the east now also having started the process to start their own teams. In response to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs invitation in December, 2017, the city of Las Vegas began participation in the program. Participation provides the city with additional tools to advance the public health initiative of developing action items in seven priority areas to prevent suicide among all service members, veterans and their families. In addition, the Nevada Dept. of Veterans Services serves as co-lead along with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services for the Governor’s Challenge to End Veteran Suicide. The Veterans Services Department’s suicide prevention program builds partnerships with community stakeholders, agencies, and organizations to provide suicide prevention awareness training and increase protective factor resources across communities Statewide.

The veterans Administration has also developed a program for individuals to help veterans who may be suicidal. The program is called ACE and is detailed below along with additional methods of help.

A growing number of offices, associations, collaborative organizations and local and national resources have been established and are designed to uncover as yet unknown details leading to suicide, as well as develop new methods of halting the practice. Some serve Southern Nevada, some serve Northern Nevada, and some are national. Some serve specific populations. This article provides contact information for a number of such resources. It is suggested that readers print this information and keep it in a handy place in the event a potential suicide situation occurs for them, their family and/or friends. Part Two next month will continue to list additional resources.

VA ACE, initials from the Veterans Administration for specific aid for individuals to provide immediate help for those who may be suicidal. “A” means, Ask the veteran if he is thinking about killing himself, or try to hurt himself. “C” means, “Care for the veteran. Remove any means that could be sued for self-injury. Stay calm and safe. Actively listen to show understanding and produce relief. “E” means escort the veteran. Never leave him alone. Take him to an emergency room or medical clinic. Call the Veterans Crisis Line, (800) 273-8255.

Veterans Crisis Line, (800) 273-8255 — same number as above, but when connected, Press 1; or text 828255. Available daily, 24/7. for all veterans, service members, National Guard, Reserve, their family members and friends.

VA Reach Tool, this tool is a valuable resource that helps veterans locate the tools they are specifically looking to address by connecting them to the resources that can assist. https://www.va.gov/REACH/default.asp

Spanish National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Ayuda En Español (Spanish National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) Cuando usted llama al número (888) 628-9454, su llamada se dirige al centro de ayuda de nuestra red disponible más cercano. Cuando el centro contesta su llamada, usted estará hablando con una persona que le escuchará, le hará preguntas y hará todo lo que esté a su alcance para ayudarle.

Crisis Text Line free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor.

Crisis Support Services of Nevada, (775) 784-8090, a 24/7 number where skilled counselors can assist.

Trevor Project LGBTQ provides crisis intervention for this population aged under 25. Call (866) 488-7386 or text “Trevor” to (202) 304-1200 M-F 12 noon to 7 p.m. Pacific Time.

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, (877) 424-3838.

Department of Defense/VA Suicide Outreach: Outreach Center (with link to chat) provides psychological health information and connects service members/families with resources. (866) 966-1020.

Military One Source. (800) 342-9647. http://www.militaryonesource.com/skins/MOS/home.aspx. Service provided by the Dept. of Defense to service members and their families to help with a broad range of concerns including families with special-needs members.

Nevada Coalition For Suicide Prevention: admin@nvsuicideprevention.org.

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