Preventing Veteran Suicide: 15 Essential Recommendations
Blog Post by David Shulkin, M.D.
For over two decades, the tragic reality of veteran suicide has persisted, with more than 6,000 veterans taking their own lives each year. The latest data from the VA reveals that in 2021, there were precisely 6,392 veteran deaths by suicide, marking an 11.6% increase from the previous year. Shockingly, veterans still face a risk of suicide that is more than 50% greater than that of the general population.
In an earnest endeavor to expedite our efforts in preventing veteran suicide, I've conducted a thorough examination of what has been effective, what may not be yielding desired results, and where our future endeavors should be focused. These perspectives are gleaned from my extensive experience in this field and represent solely my personal opinions.