While visiting family during the Thanksgiving break, I received a heartbreaking email from a friend of mine. It informed me the husband of one of the ladies from my Bible study had died suddenly. They were asking for urgent prayer for her and her children.
I was devastated to hear this news. I never met my friend’s husband, but I was saddened at his passing and knew the family must be in shock. After returning home, I was able to help with the luncheon the day of his funeral.
As I drove onto post, I saw the Caisson truck arriving, and I wanted to cry. When I arrived at the chapel, I was told there were twenty funerals that day here at the National Cemetery on post. My friend’s husband was only one of them.
I never knew his cause of death, but as I was helping that morning, I was told in hushed whispers that it was suicide. I did not know my heart could break anymore for my friend. But, when I heard this, my heart shattered. What could cause a soldier in his early 40’s to be so desperate to take his own life?
I am not naïve. I have lived the military life for over twenty-five years, and I hear the suicide rate. But, I guess I do have some naivety as I mostly thought of young soldiers and military members coming back from a deployment as a higher risk of committing suicide.
I did not put my friend’s husband in a suicide danger category. But, then again, I am not living with a person at risk, so maybe I am not close enough to the situation to be objective.
According to the Veteran’s Association’s updated statistics, twenty veterans nationwide commit suicide daily. Let that sink in… DAILY.
According to a Military Times article posted July 7, 2016, by Leo Shane III and Patricia Klime, “Researchers found that the risk of suicide for veterans is 21% higher when compared to civilian adults. From 2001 to 2014, as the civilian suicide rate rose about 23.3%, the rate of suicide among veterans jumped more than 32%.”
“The problem is particularly worrisome among female veterans, who saw their suicide rates rise more than 85% over that time, compared to about 40% for civilian women.”
Again, let that sink in… an 85% increase in suicide rates. From what I understand, this does not include the active duty, military member. My friend’s husband and two others at our military base just last month were active duty.
What can we do? How can we help?
I am not one to man a suicide prevention hot line, but if you can handle that; Go For It! Support our troops. Find a way to offer services to troops and their families.
My husband and I entered a 5K last month that was sponsored by the Segs4vets program. All proceeds went to the organization; nothing was taken for the sponsorship of the race.
At the opening, a young double amputee vet on a Segway thanked all of us who where there for saving a life. He offered to us in the race that we could save a veteran’s life just by participating in a 5K. He explained how being immobile can lead to depression; and of course, the depression can lead to suicide.
To read more about this amazing program click here. A Segway is much better than a wheelchair, and you should have seen them whiz around at the race!
The military is a family, albeit, sometimes a very dysfunctional one, but we are here for each other. Most of us are not around our natural families, so we fill in those roles for others along the journey. I have heard some incredible stories over the years of people going above and beyond for other service members and their families.
I have been the recipient of help and support along my path, and I have had the pleasure of helping others on theirs.
So, if you or a loved one is contemplating suicide, please seek help. There are many avenues for help in the military community, but I will list some here too. If you don’t need these, please pass this along to someone who may.
READ MORE AT WOMEN’S VOICES MAGAZINE
