Local Veteran Suicide Reminds How Vet Suicides Outpace Combat Deaths
The recent Deerpark suicide of a veteran who had done four tours of duty in Iraq was particularly disturbing for Everett Cox, of Warwick, a Vietnam veteran. He went through a long period--47 years--of suicidal feelings, suicide preparations and an excruciating suicide attempt--before realizing that he had better alternatives. Cox returned from Vietnam feeling shame for his own terrified behavior as well as killings there, he said.
Post-traumatic stress disorder was not yet a diagnosis. What helped him emerge from self-destructiveness, he said, was a Buddhist retreat with a shrewd monk, writing and talking about his experiences of terror and shame, and finding ways to be of service to others.
“In the service, we take an oath to be ready to give our lives for others, and we need to continue to serve,” said Cox. “Many do.”
But too many veterans don’t find ways to cope, and the consequence has been that, during the post-911 “War on Terror,” many more deaths have occured by suicide than in military operations. Cox points to a study published in June by Thomas Howard Suitt III, of Boston University, that explores this issue.
Suitt attributes the high suicide rate to factors related to any war and factors particular to the “war on terror”:
Typical of any war, he says, are “high exposure to trauma, stress, military culture and training, continued access to guns, and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life.”
Intensifying the stress in the post-9/11 era, he notes, are the rise of improvised explosive devices (IED), the attendant rise in traumatic brain injuries (TBI), the war’s protracted length, advances in medical treatment that keep service members in the military longer, and the American public’s disinterest in the post-9/11 wars.
“High suicide rates mark the failure of the U.S. government and U.S. society to manage the mental health costs of our current conflicts,” writes Suitt.
He estimates that 30,177 active duty personnel and veterans of the post 9/11 wars have died by suicide, compared with the 7,057 service members killed in post-9/11 war operations. Veteran suicide rates are 1.5 times that of the general population, and for veterans 18-34, rates are 2.5 times greater--but underestimated, he says, because the numbers no longer include Reservists and the National Guard, a change that reduced the suicide rate from 21 to 17 per day. He also finds that factors other than military operations increase veteran suicides, and though Reservist suicide rates echo those of the general population, National Guard rates are higher.
Suitt attributes the rise in suicides to several factors. In addition to public ignorance about and indifference to the wars, the increase in IEDs and better medical treatment that results in repeated deployments of those injured by IEDs, Suitt cites “moral injury,” military sexual trauma--better reported than years ago but still underreported, and access to guns.
“Moral injury,” he says, “is the result of trauma that shakes the foundations of one’s sense of moral goodness, right and wrong.” Although not listed as a psychiatric diagnosis, Suitt says, “Moral injury is the term psychiatrists, chaplains, and scholars use to describe “experiences of serious inner conflict arising from what one takes to be grievous moral transgressions that can overwhelm one’s sense of goodness and humanity,” resulting in “loss of a sense of self. Sleeplessness, anxiety and depression are common symptoms.
Suicide attempts have also been linked to military sexual trauma (MST), which Suitt defines as the repeated threat or experience of sexual violence, harassment, or assault within the military. MST incidents, including sexual assault and sexual assault attempts, have been reported by about a quarter of women in the military and likely experienced by more, reluctant to report it because of the consequences, Suitt says. Retaliation and status loss result for the majority of those who report it, and leaving the military or a position there are often not options, he said. MST differs from civilian sexual assault because it so often involves co-workers, so feeling trapped is a more likely outcome. Three quarters of those who reported MST contemplated suicide, and 40% attempted it, accord to one study Suitt cites.
Meanwhile, the military ethos of masculine toughness and hierarchy discourages introspection and seeking help, and veterans tend to resist getting help when they return to civilian life, Suitt says. Training in reflexive gun use and gun availability further increase suicide risk. Suitt cites an Annals of Internal Medicine Study finding that owning a gun triples the risk of suicide, and suicide attempts with a gun are more likely to be lethal. Service members with greater access to guns have four times the suicide risk of those without access, Suitt found. Substance abuse is also a risk, as it precedes 30% of suicides.
Cox sees additional ways that numbers of veteran suicides are undercounted.
“Most vets think there are more suicides than what’s reported. They may be called accidents, like car accidents and drug overdoses,” he said.
He also notes the “slow suicides” of veterans who drink too much, take drugs, eat badly and neglect or damage themselves in other ways.
“I’ve gathered this from observing, talking to others and from my own experience,” he said.
He has found avenues of service leading writing workshops for veterans and providing other assistance, as he works part time for Vet to Vet in the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Program. Dwyer was a hero in Iraq, then fatally overdosed at home. The program offers services in 25 counties, aiming to help veterans get help they need and deter self-destruction. Providing a service reminds veterans of their value in the world, Cox says.
He goes where veterans need assistance and attempts to help with whatever their issues may be.
“There’s not much outreach to older veterans. I often see them lonely and isolated, but if you reach out, they respond. I take them out for coffee, help them with bills,” he said.
He notes some of the signs of suicidal intentions--isolation, increased drinking, giving away valuables, cashing out retirement funds and talk of futility.
“When I’m concerned, I ask them, ‘Are you thinking of killing yourself?’ Families don’t talk about suicide, but asking doesn’t trigger suicide. I ask when I see vets drinking themselves to death or other kinds of slow suicide--obesity, smoking, unhealthy lifestyle. I ask, ‘What are you doing about it? What’s your goal? It doesn’t seem to be a better life.”
Veteran Resources:
Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit
http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
VA Mental Health Services Guide - This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
MakeTheConnection.net - information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Request a Peer Mentor
VA Women Veterans Call Center - Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET)
VA Caregiver Support Line - Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET)
Together We Served -Find your battle buddies through unit pages
George W. Bush Institute - Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes - Join the Community
American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network - Peer Support and Mentoring
Team Red, White & Blue - Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
Student Veterans of America - Find a campus chapter to connect with.
Team Rubicon - Find a local support squad.
Community news needs community support to continue. Please consider the various Tri-State Lookout subscription levels.