The Suicide Rate Among Female Veterans Is On The Rise, And Experts Have No Idea Why

Horse shit! Brought to you by the same VA that said that 22 of us were killing ourselves each day or 8030 a year. When the reality was the majority of days NO VET TOOK HIS OWN LIFE and that the numbers are more on par with the national average. While any vet suicide is a tragedy, it does not make it an epidemic. That lie cost many veterans employment opportunities by making Joe Public think that the majority of veterans are unstable and may be at risk to harm themselves or other in the workplace. So when the VA says that female suicide rates are on the rise I hold zero faith in their methodology of coming to that conclusion.

Interesting story. It notes suicide rates are lower for men and women who use VA services, so they may be doing something right. I self-reported thoughts a few months ago and received excellent care at the Togus, ME VA hospital. After a week stay I have been followed-up and in my case, I can say once I admitted to the problem, they were great.

As to the larger issue, MST rears it's ugly head again. Women are being exposed to the same conditions as men so an increase in suicide makes sense, if you will, that way. However, when you add in occurrences of MST whether reported or not, it shouldn't be surprising female suicide rates are on the rise. It is a real problem not dealt with well by the military, just like suicide itself.

The answer lies in that culture shift we continue to talk about, but no one in positions of authority seems to listen to. The culture towards women in the military needs to change and the culture toward suicide needs to change. Both active duty and veterans. Until it does, suicide rates aren't going to change. My son is a suicide statistic and we all know of others.

Most reports say more women are enlisting than ever before. Is this the result of numbers or percentage increase? And, PO3 Sherril has a point, women want what men have and are in the process of getting the whole package.