Military and Veterans

Veteran suicide is a national tragedy. Every day, 20 veterans kill themselves. The veteran suicide rate is more than double that of the general population (35.3 vs. 15.2 per 100,000). (Those stats and others are available .) Congressman Brian Mast, a Republican veteran from Florida, thinks he has an answer: Require military personnel, upon leaving […]

On today, Memorial Day, I sadly note the dramatic increase in suicides among troops and veterans over the last decade or so. In a recent article, the New York Times reported devastating statistics: In 2002, the suicide rate among soldiers was roughly 10 per 100,000. Now the rate is 80% higher, at 18 per 100,000. […]

I cannot pretend to understand your situation. You are a stranger, first of all, and everybody’s story is unique. So I’ll refrain from the clichés: “It’ll get better.” “This too shall pass.” “You are a good person and deserve to live.” Those statements may well be true, and I hope you will consider them. But […]