Database May Help Identify Veterans on the Edge. Help or more Big Brother?

2015-06-15T09:25:27-04:00

The suicide rate for veterans has been much higher than that of the civilian population for years, and it has risen sharply among young veterans since 2009. The V.A. estimates the suicide rate for male veterans younger than 29 is 80 per 100,000 — about four times the comparable civilian rate. Data shows the rate for female veterans, though much lower than the male rate, is six times the comparable civilian figure. Increased mental health staff and traditional suicide prevention efforts have so far failed to bring the rates down.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/12/us/database-may-help-identify-veterans-likely-to-commit-suicide.html?_r=1

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Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 15 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-06-15T09:27:21-04:00

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S., this would be a wonderful program if it actually can predict who is susceptible to commit suicide.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 15 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-06-15T12:20:11-04:00

But will this increase veteran access to crisis counselors and mental health services?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 15 at 2015 12:35 PM

2015-06-15T12:35:23-04:00

Share only what you are comfortable being used against you by the government later. If they can "predict" you might do harm to yourself or others can they then intervene to prevent that from happening?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 15 at 2015 12:53 PM

2015-06-15T12:53:35-04:00

In some ways, this kind of reminds me of the movie Minority Report, but used to help...hopefully.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 15 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-06-15T12:55:13-04:00

Any system has its flaws like inputting data, finding homeless veterans, or finding veterans who don't want to be found. However, if it helps reduces suicides, I am all for it.