This article was authored by Lila Boroujerdi, who worked diligently as an intern with the Stop Soldier Suicide marketing and communications team. Thank you, Lila, for your dedication, great work, and support for our mission!
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Over the last two decades, suicide rates among those 18 to 34 has shifted at an alarming pace. This is despite ongoing conversations surrounding suicide and major strides toward destigmatization. Mental health challenges for these veterans endure. We owe it to them, to their loved ones, and to communities near and far to take a discerning look at this issue and seek to better understand it. After all, if we cannot understand what is behind this alarming trend, how can we expect to solve it?
The data is staggering. Compared to their civilian counterparts, veterans have a 58% higher chance of losing their life to suicide. Within the veteran population, those between the ages of 18 and 34 are at the highest risk, with their chance of committing suicide being between 37% to 68% greater than older veterans. Since the 2000s, the percentage of enlisted personnel aged 18 to 34 has risen to 57.5%. Over the same time period, the number of veterans age 18 to 34 who have lost their lives to suicide has almost doubled.
This demographic of veterans has some unique risk factors that are contributing factors to the growing rate. Two factors in particular are worth examining in an effort to better understand and therefore better support our veterans: adverse childhood experiences and social isolation.
For many veterans, their reason for enlisting stems from a desire to serve their nation and find a sense of purpose. For others, enlisting is a path out of their unstable home lives. For those who have grown up in households experiencing abuse, including domestic, emotional, and sexual, or have endured emotional neglect, their chance of suicide increases. These adverse childhood experiences (“ACEs”) can lead to future challenges in adulthood. When veterans who had a difficult upbringing return home often these men and women are forced to build a life for themselves without strong connection or healthy support structures. Connection and support are critical for positive mental health and therefore when they are lacking it is very problematic.
Prior to enlisting, the home lives of most younger veterans didn’t include a spouse, children, or a consistent stream of income. Thus, their reintegration into the “real world” becomes more complex. Without having a role to fulfill (either as a partner, parent, and/or worker), younger veterans often have a difficult time rediscovering a sense of purpose and structure. This can result in social isolation or challenges with feeling a sense of belonging, which makes it harder for them to reach out for help if their mental health begins to suffer.
With no immediate social support, veterans lack the protective factor of strong bonds and connection that can help mitigate suicide risk. We can all be intentional about how we help veterans work to rediscover a sense of belonging, purpose, and connection after their military service concludes.
It is important to remember that suicide does not define veterans nor do their mental health struggles define who they are as a person. Veterans and service members - of all ages - are so much more than their challenges.
Veterans are a group made up of men and women who are hard-workers, teammates, leaders, and overall strong, resilient individuals. Their service has taught them valuable lessons and skills and we are certain that there are meaningful and opportunities for them after their service concludes. We have to join together with a commitment to celebrate all that our veterans are and to walk with them no matter their circumstances.
No veteran should ever have to fight alone. Their transition time back home should be a process full of support and understanding. There are resources available to aid in the fight like the 988 Lifeline our ROGER Wellness Service.
At Stop Soldier Suicide, we pledge to remain steadfast in this mission and never lose focus on solving the suicide crisis within for veterans across all branches and age demographics. Remember: there is help, and there is hope.