VA admits 18 veterans commit suicide each day

Last year Veterans for Common Sense already found out how many we were having to bury after combat for them was over. The problem is, this battle they were fighting on their own, alone and forgotten by the rest of the American people. Too many want to believe that after we send them off our duty is done unless they come home in a coffin covered with an American flag. The truth is, our duty to them just begins and is our duty for the rest of their lives to take care of them.

18 veterans commit suicide each day

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 22, 2010 15:40:18 EDT

Troubling new data show there are an average of 950 suicide attempts each month by veterans who are receiving some type of treatment from the Veterans Affairs Department.

Seven percent of the attempts are successful, and 11 percent of those who don’t succeed on the first attempt try again within nine months.

The numbers, which come at a time when VA is strengthening its suicide prevention programs, show about 18 veteran suicides a day, about five by veterans who are receiving VA care.

Access to care appears to be a key factor, officials said, noting that once a veteran is inside the VA care program, screening programs are in place to identify those with problems, and special efforts are made to track those considered at high risk, such as monitoring whether they are keeping appointments.
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18 veterans commit suicide each day