2020 Veteran Suicide Report from the Veterans Administration
COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Mental Health Crisis Among Veterans
The year 2020 has been a challenging one for everyone, especially for those who have served in the military. According to the latest 2020 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), there has been a significant rise in veteran suicides last year. The numbers are alarming, and they indicate a mental health crisis that needs to be addressed urgently. Here is the veteran suicide list state-by-state in a database.
The data shows that there were 6,261 veteran suicides in 2020, an increase of nearly 7% from the previous year. This means that, on average, 17 veterans died by suicide every day in 2020. These figures are heartbreaking, and they show that we need to do more to support our veterans and ensure that they receive the help they need. When the first report was published in 2017, the number was 22 a day.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly played a role in this surge in veteran suicides. The pandemic has disrupted many aspects of daily life, including access to mental health care, which is vital for veterans who are struggling with mental health issues. The isolation and stress caused by the pandemic have exacerbated the mental health crisis that many veterans were already facing.
VA Takes Action to Address the Surge in Veteran Suicides
The VA is taking action to address the surge in veteran suicides. The agency has increased funding for suicide prevention programs, including the Veterans Crisis Line, which provides free, confidential support to veterans in crisis. Additionally, the VA is working to expand access to mental health care by hiring more mental health professionals and increasing telehealth options.
As a nation, we owe it to our veterans to ensure that they receive the support and care they need to overcome mental health challenges. If you are a veteran or know a veteran who may be struggling with mental health issues, please know that there is help available. The VA provides free, confidential support to veterans through the Veterans Crisis Line, which can be reached by phone at 1-800-273-8255, text message at 838255, or online chat at veteranscrisisline.net/chat. Let’s work together to ensure that no veteran feels alone or unsupported during this challenging time.
