United States military veteran suicide
United States military veteran suicide is an ongoing phenomenon regarding the high rate of suicide among U.S. military veterans in comparison to the general civilian public. A focus on preventing veteran suicide began in 1958 with the opening of the first suicide prevention center in the United States. During the mid-1990s, a paradigm shift in addressing veteran suicide occurred with the development of a national strategy which included several Congressional Resolutions. More advancements were made in 2007, when the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act created a comprehensive program including outreach at each Veterans Affairs Office (VA) and the implementation of a 24-hour crisis hotline. PTSD, depression, and combat-related guilt in veterans are often related to suicide as it can be difficult for veterans to transition to civilian life.
An illustration created by the U.S. Air Force to represent the number of veteran suicides per day.
Arizona Army and Air National Guard members participating in "Ruck for Life," an event promoting military suicide prevention, 2014.
Photo created May 2013 and taken by Sgt. Amanda Tucker in Fort Bragg, NC as part of a project to raise awareness about the Veterans Crisis Line.
A graphic created by VA to spread awareness of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Suicide in the military is the act of ending one's life during or after a career in the armed forces.
US army suicide prevention poster, 2012
British army base at Sennelager, Germany, where Cpl Anne-Marie Ellement reported that two of her colleagues had raped her in 2009. The coroner concluded that the rape and subsequent bullying by the army contributed to her suicide two years later.
US Army drill sergeants beasting a recruit during initial training.