NORFOLK, Va. — The numbers are staggering: 20 military
veterans commit suicide every day in America. In 2017, more than 6,100 took
their own lives. The rate of veterans dying at their own hand is 1.5 percent
higher than it is for non-veteran adults.
For the Department of Veterans Affairs, one big challenge is
figuring out what to do about the veterans who are not affiliated with the V.A.
who commit suicide daily. How does the department reach them?
The V.A. is introducing a new program called "Solid
Start." It is designed to help departing active and reserve troops as they
transition to civilian life. It's part of the larger effort to combat suicide
being led by the V.A.'s Under Secretary for Benefit, Dr. Paul Lawrence.
"Two-thirds of the veterans who commit suicide have
never come to the V.A.," he said. "Solid Start is a series of phone
calls in the first year as they transition to civilian life, to begin to
establish the relationship and connect them with the V.A. Don't forget, once
you leave the military, you're a veteran forever. And we want veterans to know
you're welcome at the V.A."
The program is a part of Executive Order 13-822, which aims
to improve mental health care and access to suicide prevention resources to
service members following discharge, separation or retirement from the
military.
An estimated 200,000 veterans each year will be contacted
around 90, 180 and 365 days after leaving service.
The program wants to connect veterans with direct benefits
and partner organizations that can help them in the transition period. Veterans
discharged within the past two months have been automatically signed up.
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