As Suicide Prevention month just wrapped up, I wanted to share an article I recently read focusing on the suicide risk for transitioning Service members. Data has shown that the period of transition from military service to civilian life is one of increased risk for Service members.
Often in the military, we are taught the concept of creating a “new normal” following significant disruptions such as those related to a move, a military deployment, or other event impacting the whole family. Focusing on a “new normal” invites the family to view the situation as something requiring a period of adjustment. One aspect of military life that every family will experience is the transition out of the military. We all know it is coming. However, there is a great deal of variability in how families prepare for and respond to this event.
Previously, I wrote about why combat veterans hesitate to share details about their combat experiences. These insights could be adjusted to anyone who has experienced trauma. I’ve repeatedly had veterans, providers, and family members tell me this makes sense to them. However, understanding a hesitancy to share does not mean it is okay to tell loved ones absolutely nothing about what happened if someone is struggling with the aftermath of trauma.
"The weighted lifetime prevalence of ED among veterans," according to an article published earlier this year in the journal Military Medicine -- Erectile Dysfunction in a U.S. National Sample of Male Military Veterans.
The percentage of of veterans who will be women by 2032, according to an article from the RAND Corporation -- Improving Support for Veteran Women: Veterans' Issues in Focus. Currently, 10% of veterans are women.