Veterans Affairs Sets Sights On Suicide Prevention

Crystal Dey | Echo Press | June 5, 2013

Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day in the U.S. Any suicide statistic is too great a number, but taking into consideration the total U.S. population (315 million) and the number of veterans (22 million), that percentage is disproportionately high.

Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day in the U.S. Any suicide statistic is too great a number, but taking into consideration the total U.S. population (315 million) and the number of veterans (22 million), that percentage is disproportionately high.

Since 2001, per-day veteran suicides have remained between 18 and 22 nationally. In Minnesota, approximately 20 percent of people who die by suicide are veterans. There are 3,169 veterans living in Douglas County.

The local veterans’ office has not been made aware of any increased activity for suicide services, said Ray Kallstrom, Douglas County Veterans’ Service Office department head.