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Epidemic of Suicides:
The VA Strives to Prevent Veteran Suicides
Despite programs and expenditures in the $100s of millions of dollars, the VA has failed
to stem the epidemic of suicides that occur in increasing numbers each year. These tragic
losses are unnecessary. Today’s drug-free technology relieves the symptoms of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder - the underlying cause of suicide among veterans and active duty military.
Dr. Gay Larned
______________________________________
The VA Strives to Prevent Veteran Suicides
Despite programs and expenditures in the $100s of millions of dollars, the VA has failed
to stem the epidemic of suicides that occur in increasing numbers each year. These tragic
losses are unnecessary. Today’s drug-free technology relieves the symptoms of Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder - the underlying cause of suicide among veterans and active duty military.
Dr. Gay Larned
______________________________________
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With more than 6,000 veterans committing
suicide every year the Department of Veterans
Affairs is redoubling its outreach to veterans and promoting its toll–free
suicide prevention hotline.
National statistics show that veterans constitute about 20% of the 30,000 to 32,000 US deaths each year from suicide. Of an average of 18 veterans who commit suicide each day, about five received care through the VA healthcare system. More than 60% of those five had diagnosed mental health conditions.
Dr. Janet E. Kemp, VA’s national suicide prevention coordinator, is committed to improving those statistics. She’s heading up an aggressive outreach program to address problems that lead to suicide, and to ensure veterans as well as their loved ones know where to turn for help.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Kemp cited mounting evidence that veterans in the 18- to 29-year-old age group who use VA health-care services are less likely to commit suicide than those who don’t.
Based on statistical comparisons between the two groups, she estimated that 250 fewer veterans enrolled in the VA system take their own lives each year. She credited VA’s screening and assessment processes designed to identify high–risk patients and provide intervention, as needed.
To read the rest of this article please go to:
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=%2058879
TIP: Check to see if a pop-up might be blocking access to the hyperlink and then click on it to allow access.
National statistics show that veterans constitute about 20% of the 30,000 to 32,000 US deaths each year from suicide. Of an average of 18 veterans who commit suicide each day, about five received care through the VA healthcare system. More than 60% of those five had diagnosed mental health conditions.
Dr. Janet E. Kemp, VA’s national suicide prevention coordinator, is committed to improving those statistics. She’s heading up an aggressive outreach program to address problems that lead to suicide, and to ensure veterans as well as their loved ones know where to turn for help.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, Kemp cited mounting evidence that veterans in the 18- to 29-year-old age group who use VA health-care services are less likely to commit suicide than those who don’t.
Based on statistical comparisons between the two groups, she estimated that 250 fewer veterans enrolled in the VA system take their own lives each year. She credited VA’s screening and assessment processes designed to identify high–risk patients and provide intervention, as needed.
To read the rest of this article please go to:
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=%2058879
TIP: Check to see if a pop-up might be blocking access to the hyperlink and then click on it to allow access.