By Julia Conley
Post-9/11 Veterans Wars Over 30,000 Have Killed Themselves
Introduction
Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, thousands of brave men and women have answered the call to serve in the United States military. These veterans have faced immense challenges on and off the battlefield, with over 30,000 of them tragically taking their own lives over the past two decades. Behind each statistic lies a deeply personal story of struggle, resilience, and the enduring bond of family.
New research released Monday shows the post-9/11 wars launched by the U.S. military since 2001 have resulted in over 30,000 suicides by active duty American solders and veterans—over four times the number killed in combat operations.
According to Brown University’s Costs of War Project—established in 2010 to account for the loss of lives and taxpayer dollars spent on U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan—an estimated 30,177 veterans and service members have killed themselves over the last nearly two decades, compared with 7,057 members of the military who have been killed in combat.
The findings were compiled from interviews, government data, and secondary literature.
The report (pdf) “reveals an increasingly severe crisis,” the authors wrote, with the veteran suicide rate per 100,000 people in the U.S. outpacing that of the public.
“The V.A. 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report reveals the suicide rate of veterans overall and adjusted for age and sex is 1.5 times that of the general population,” the report reads. “This rate is likely a conservative one because, unlike earlier reports, the V.A. only counts veterans who were federally activated, leaving out Reservists and National Guardsmen who were not federally activated.”
From 2011 to 2020 an estimated 1,193 National Guard members and 1,607 Reservists have died by suicide; data is not available for the first decade after 9/11.
Among active duty service members, 5,116 have died by suicide in the past two decades.
Among service members who have fought in the U.S. post-9/11 wars, four times as many have died of suicide than in combat. A new study from @CostsOfWar documents the mental health crisis resulting from endless wars. Read more at https://t.co/B6WZVBYCJR pic.twitter.com/liJ8l62Kue
— The Costs of War Project (@CostsOfWar) June 21, 2021
Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Families
The suicide rate among active duty service members has historically been lower than that of the general U.S. population, the report noted, revealing “a significant shift.”
The study points to a number of factors that may have contributed to the rise in suicides, including an increase in the use of improvised explosive devices and their association with traumatic brain injuries, exposure to trauma, military culture and training, the wide availability of guns, and stressors associated with returning to civilian life.
Multiple deployments was also highlighted as a factor unique to service members post-September 11, 2001.
“Modern medical advances have also allowed service members to survive physical traumas and return to the frontlines for multiple deployments, even though the combination of multiple traumatic exposures, chronic pain, and lasting physical wounds is linked to suicidal behaviors,” reads the report. “The sheer length of the war has kept service members in the fight longer, providing more opportunities for traumatic exposure. The U.S. government’s inability to address the suicide crisis is a significant cost of the U.S. post-9/11 veterans wars, and the result is a mental health crisis among our veterans and service members with significant long-term consequences.”
Thomas “Ben” Suitt III, who authored the report, said many service members don’t get the treatment they need—sometimes as a result of trying to hide their struggles—and the paper details how this makes them more vulnerable to suicidal behavior.
“There was a sense that an active service member would rather lie on a screening to be able to stay in the military,” Suitt told NBC News. “If they have a traumatic brain injury but no other physical injuries, they downplay the injuries to stay in their career.”
The report comes days after the World Health Organization (WHO) released a study showing that one in 100 deaths around the world is the result of suicide, and that in the Americas region, including the U.S., the rate rose by 17% between 2000 and 2009.
“We cannot—and must not—ignore suicide,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO. “Each one is a tragedy. Our attention to suicide prevention is even more important now, after many months living with the Covid-19 pandemic, with many of the risk factors for suicide—job loss, financial stress and social isolation—still very much present.”
As we come closer to the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we must reflect on the mental health cost of the Global War on Terror. The human cost for our veterans and service members far outweighs even the most crippling financial costs we have endured to send them to war.
Stephanie Savell, co-director of the Costs of War Project, said policymakers in the U.S. “must examine and address those factors” which are leading greater numbers of service members and veterans to take their own lives.
“As we come closer to the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we must reflect on the mental health cost of the Global War on Terror,” the report reads. “The human cost for our veterans and service members far outweighs even the most crippling financial costs we have endured to send them to war.”
[button color=”orange” size=”medium” link=”https://www.activistpost.com/2021/06/over-30000-us-veterans-of-post-9-11-wars-have-killed-themselves-since-2001.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ActivistPost+%28Activist+Post%29″ icon=”” target=”true”]Original Article[/button]
Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, thousands of brave men and women have answered the call to serve in the United States military.
Post-9/11 Veterans battling
The Personal Struggle: Battling Invisible Wounds
For many veterans, the transition from active duty to civilian life is fraught with challenges. They carry the physical and emotional scars of combat, often grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. These invisible wounds can be as debilitating as any physical injury, impacting their ability to reintegrate into society and maintain stable mental health.
The story of Sergeant John Ramirez exemplifies this struggle. After multiple tours of duty in Iraq, John returned home to his loving wife, Maria, and their two young children. On the surface, he seemed like the same strong, dependable man Maria had always known. However, beneath the facade, John was battling nightmares, flashbacks, and overwhelming guilt over comrades lost in battle. He withdrew from family activities, haunted by memories he couldn’t share.
Maria, recognizing the signs of PTSD from John’s increasingly withdrawn behavior and mood swings, encouraged him to seek help. However, like many 9/11 veterans, John initially resisted, fearing the stigma associated with mental health issues in the military. It wasn’t until a fellow veteran reached out and shared his own journey to recovery that John realized he wasn’t alone.
Family Dynamics: Support and Strain
At the heart of every veteran’s story is their family—a crucial source of support and understanding. Families play a pivotal role in the 9/11 veterans journey, providing unconditional love, encouragement, and stability. However, they also bear witness to the toll that military service can take, navigating periods of emotional distance, stress, and the strain of caregiving.
Maria’s unwavering support and determination became a lifeline for John. She connected with other military spouses through support groups, learning strategies to cope with the challenges of PTSD and how to support her husband while taking care of herself and their children. Together, they attended counseling sessions, where John gradually opened up about his experiences and began to heal.
Not all families are equipped to handle the complexities of veteran reintegration. For some, the strain becomes too much to bear. The divorce rate among veterans with PTSD is significantly higher than the national average, highlighting the profound impact of military service on family dynamics. Children may struggle with absentee parents or the emotional burden of understanding their loved one’s trauma.
Community Support: A Lifeline of Hope
Beyond the family unit, community support plays a vital role in the veteran’s recovery and well-being. Organizations dedicated to 9/11 veterans outreach, mental health services, and peer support groups offer a lifeline of hope. They provide resources for counseling, employment assistance, and camaraderie, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among veterans who may feel isolated or misunderstood.
Overcoming Adversity: Stories of Resilience and Hope
Amidst the challenges, stories of resilience and hope emerge. post 9/11 veterans and their families demonstrate incredible strength in navigating adversity together. Through therapy, education, and advocacy, many veterans find healing and purpose in helping others. They channel their experiences into positive change, raising awareness about mental health issues and advocating for better support systems.
Conclusion: Honoring Their Sacrifice
As we reflect on the lives lost and the struggles faced by post-9/11 veterans, it is crucial to honor their sacrifice by promoting awareness, understanding, and compassion. By supporting initiatives that prioritize mental health care, employment opportunities, and community integration, we can create a more supportive environment for veterans and their families. Together, we can ensure that their legacy is one of resilience, strength, and hope for a brighter future.