Suicide in Veterans
The Suicide Prevention Program does not provide counseling services. If you are thinking about suicide or hurting yourself, or if someone you know is seriously thinking about suicide, please seek help. Monday through Friday from 8-5, call Counseling Services at 269-387-1850. After hours, call (800) 273-TALK (8255). This National Suicide Prevention hotline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and is answered locally.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 911!
- Male veterans are twice as likely as civilians of either gender to commit suicide
- 1000 suicides occur per year among veterans receiving VA care
- 5000 suicides occur per year among all living veterans
Veteran specific risks factors
- Frequent deployments
- Deployments to hostile environments
- Exposure to extreme stress
- Physical/sexual assault while in the service (not limited to women)
- Length of deployments
- Service related injury
*SOURCE: Information was adapted from the original sources:
United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD. Retrieved on March 21, 2010 from http://www.ptsd.va.gov
United States Department of Veterans Affairs. How to Recognize When to Ask for Help. Retrieved on March 21, 2010 from http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/
