Veteran Suicide

                                                                             

   

            Ten minutes had gone by of everyone taking turns knocking, waiting on an answer. At that point, First Sergeant was waiting outside the barracks room, yelling at the missing soldier; "Moore open the fuck up or we're taking the door down!". Still, not a single person had come to that door. So we were told to kick the door in. Specialist Luesant was the one to donkey kick the door in; it took a few kicks but he managed to get it down. That's when we all looked in the room and the entire world stood still; Specialist Moore had killed himself in a drug overdose. Veteran suicide is an ongoing problem according to news.va.gov in 2020, 6,146 veterans killed themselves. It's not a question of if this is happening but why are veterans plagued with this ongoing endemic? Among the many reasons this happens to veterans, the primary reasons are the stigma surrounding mental health in the military culture, alcohol dependency, and easy access to firearms making it much easier to commit suicide on impulse. 

 

            Mental health is a controversial and stigmatized topic within the military. The culture of the military emphasizes strength, toughness, and resilience. While these qualities are necessary for soldiers, they can also discourage seeking help for mental health issues. Even when a soldier gets out of the military this thought process is something that continues to carry on. As Shpancer points out in a Psychology Today article titled "Why Are US Soldiers Killing Themselves?", the military culture is rigid, hierarchical, and demanding, and it tends to abhor weakness and stigmatize mental illness. Soldiers who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts are often expected to keep quiet and carry on, which can have a detrimental impact on their mental health even after they leave the military. The opposition may say that veterans would have been suicidal, depressed, or have continuing psychological problems even if they didn't serve. However, it's impossible to ignore the mental impact the military has on service members.

                                                                            

    

            Alcohol dependency is another major issue that veterans often face. The military culture often embraces a "work hard, party harder" mindset, which can lead to the development of unhealthy drinking habits. Studies have shown that community distress is associated with an increased risk of alcohol-related deaths among veterans, according to a study published in BMC Injury Epidemiology. Veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues resulting from their service may turn to alcohol as a way to self-medicate, leading to increased alcohol consumption and dependency, which can contribute to a higher suicide rate among veterans compared to the civilian population. Somebody could argue that veterans can get help for their alcohol problem, despite that being true; you can't ignore that the military is a culture. Unless you've been in you won't ever fully understand just how high-praised alcoholism is. So this clearly plays a role in the higher suicide rate in comparison to the civilian population. 

          Easy access to firearms is also a contributing factor to the higher suicide rate among veterans. A study published in Springer Nature Journals by Tim Bullman in 2021 found that 68.3% of veteran suicides involved a firearm. Veterans are more likely to own firearms compared to non-veterans, and the ease of access to firearms can increase the risk of impulsive and fatal suicide attempts. The opposition may use this as an argument to push for more gun control, which could cause problems for veterans later down the line. Feeling like the country they fought for is taking away the rights they signed up to protect. However, it's hard to ignore the evidence that having an easier time accessing firearms makes it easier for a veteran to make the impulsive decision to kill themselves instead of getting help.

        Addressing the issue of veteran suicide requires acknowledging and addressing these three primary factors. The stigma surrounding mental health in the military culture needs to be challenged and replaced with a healthier mindset that encourages seeking help. Alcohol dependency among veterans should be addressed through increased support and interventions. Finally, access to firearms should be carefully regulated, taking into consideration the higher risk of suicide among veterans. As a society, we must prioritize the mental health and well-being of our veterans and take concrete steps to prevent veteran suicide. By addressing the stigma around mental health, tackling alcohol dependency, and carefully regulating firearms access, we can work towards reducing the alarming rate of veteran suicides and supporting our veterans in leading healthy and fulfilling lives after their service.