By the Numbers - Feb. 3, 2014
20%
"Veterans comprise 20% of the suicides in the U.S. annually," according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
New data (PDF) released earlier this year by the VA indicate that the rate of suicide among veterans as a whole "remained largely unchanged" between 2009 and 2011," according to a January 9 story in Stars and Stripes. However, the story pointed out, while there has been a slight decrease in suicides among older veterans, "male veterans under 30 saw a 44 percent increase in the rate of suicides."
That’s roughly two young veterans a day who take their own life, most just a few years after leaving the service.
20%
"Veterans comprise 20% of the suicides in the U.S. annually," according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
New data (PDF) released earlier this year by the VA indicate that the rate of suicide among veterans as a whole "remained largely unchanged" between 2009 and 2011," according to a January 9 story in Stars and Stripes. However, the story pointed out, while there has been a slight decrease in suicides among older veterans, "male veterans under 30 saw a 44 percent increase in the rate of suicides."
That’s roughly two young veterans a day who take their own life, most just a few years after leaving the service.