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No matter the number... 1 Veteran suicide is 1 too many... Thoughts?...
The Truth About 22 Veteran Suicides A Day
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
11A: Infantry Officer
11B1V: Airborne Ranger
Army War College
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Does anyone actually believe we can stop every single suicide? I realize this is very non-PC, but there are folks that we are not going to catch before they kill themselves. It's tragic, but we are never going to be in s position to stop all suicides. Is it more reasonable to have accept that this will happen, but still do everything we can to identify, treat, and prevent suicidal Vets and AD SMs. While we focus on the small number of SMs and Vets who commit suicide, what about the vastly larger numbers of SMs and Vets we save? We will never know those numbers, but fail to even recognize the great things we do for the majority.
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CW2 Christopher Esparza
Looks like someone needs to pull their head out of their 4th point of contact. So what is an acceptable percentage of suicides? To say you can't get everyone is admitting defeat. Focus should be talking to your Soldiers; not the B.S. Grip and grin. But first line leaders actually engaging with their Soldiers. A sudden change in attitude and appearance can be a window into a bigger problem. MAJ Fisher, maybe when it's your friend that becomes one of the statistics you'll see things differently.
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MAJ (Join to see)
CW2 Christopher Esparza - I think you are making a lot of assumptions or maybe you took what I said out context. I am all for the continuing efforts to identify and treat folks with SI. But I am also a pragmatist, after 20 years in medicine I know, that some folks are going to go through with suicide no matter the efforts. While every suicide is tragic, it is simply not possible to stop every single one. You have no idea if I have friends that have committed suicide. As a provider assigned to the line I have seen the hit a unit takes, i have taken care of SMs who have committed suicide. I have seen commanders and units bend over backwards for these guys. I have taken calls at all hours. We have sent guys across the country to different treatment facilities. But at the end of the day they went through with the suicide. It's not about giving up, it's about accepting the facts that when it does happen and you, the CMD, first line leaders, and their friends have done everything you can that maybe if outside of locking this person in a room forever, they were going to go through with it anyway. I'm sorry you have lost friends, but don't mistake my response for apathy or not doing everything I can.
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SSG (Join to see)
People might not like what I have to say, but this is what I believe and have viewed my years in the military. What I have experienced is that when a suicide happens, most people say they never seen it comming or hey, he/she looked happy yesterday like there was nothing going on and now today they are dead. I believe people who are truly suicidal do not express they are as they do not want others to know and try to prevent them from doing what they truly want. Most others that call out for help are just that, they want help to get though a current situation. So it doesn't matter how many classes we goto or mandatory training we attended. So I have to agree with MAJ Andrew Fisher.
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Yes I concur that 1 suicide a day is too much COL (Join to see).
The number 22 per day has been bandied about as though it were more of a horrible quota that a valid statistic. There are many programs to assist suicidal veterans and others who are suicidal;. The best help is caring friends and family who will notice change and help the severely depressed person seek help.
The number 22 per day has been bandied about as though it were more of a horrible quota that a valid statistic. There are many programs to assist suicidal veterans and others who are suicidal;. The best help is caring friends and family who will notice change and help the severely depressed person seek help.
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The question should be, regardless of era, how did one of our Brothers/Sisters become invisible. How did this happen? Why arent they using these sexy programs that will lead them to salvation? To answer that question you need to not shower, shave, or change clothes for weeks. Eat what you find or was left in the garbage, sleep when you can but always stay alert. senseless violence is everywhere and amazing in its brutality. You can't use your awesome cell phone to call anyone, so you can try to use others, good luck. Hey the VET center is just across town! Cool, your walking, with everything you own. All your stuff will eventually be taken thru violence or your own stupidity. That includes id, socks, etc, etc....at this point you are now invisible. No one sees you and it is at this point, well you know.
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