We are approaching Veterans Day, followed by the holiday season that sometimes leaves people feeling isolated. We do so as the nation and the world face a myriad of complicated issues, including the role of American strength abroad and what that means for current and former troops. Many service members and veterans have felt profound confusion since the problematic withdrawal in Afghanistan that widened existing wounds or reopened old ones—even those invisible to the average civilian.
The truth is, Veterans Day is both important but also difficult, particularly for the men and women who are serving or who have served the nation. Importantly, Veterans Day must not stoke token appreciation for vets, nor must it be a day of passivity. Instead, we should use the day to make or strengthen meaningful contact with veterans, reaching out via phone or in person and showing genuine interest in their wellbeing.
Such action, embraced by an initiative called Warrior Call, can have a material impact, including in reducing the loneliness that so strongly correlates with veteran suicide. Indeed, Veterans Day and Warrior Call Day on November 12th are reminders that we must do more—on those days and every day–to stem the crisis of suicide.
The numbers are heart-wrenching when you take a step back. Among men, the unadjusted rate of veteran suicide of those age 18-34 has increased by a staggering 95 percent over the last 20 years. For veterans under 45—i.e., those who served following the September 11 attacks—suicide is the second leading cause of death.
Numbers vary and many disagree on the exact figure because substance abuse and drugs can often mask death by suicide, but experts agree that at least 18 veterans die by suicide every day.
While several initiatives have been launched over the past decade to address veteran suicide, limited progress and ongoing tragedies persist. It is imperative that we recognize the urgency and take further action as citizens and peers to combat this devastating issue.
Since my time as Secretary of the VA, I have argued that addressing veteran suicides necessitates an upstream approach built on three strategic pillars: appropriate identification of veterans at risk, effective interventions, and the prevention of further cases.
Here, around Veterans Day and Warrior Call Day, all three matter, but the call to action is clear, especially for peers: Make meaningful contact to identify potential challenges and any needed intervention. Talk to veterans and they will tell you: Buddy checks matter, and one call can save a life.
Effective interventions, like those deployed in other areas of healthcare, are key. They also exist. It is incumbent on veteran peers and civilians alike to be able to point men and women to relevant resources–those provided by the VA or in the private sector led by nonprofits.
Veterans must have timely access to treatment for underlying disorders such as depression, PTSD, substance abuse, chronic pain, and other conditions. Traditional therapies, along with innovative treatment approaches, are invaluable in this regard. Additionally, peer support and participation in activities with fellow veterans like adaptive sports programs, can be life-saving, and emotional support animals can provide significant comfort and aid in recovery.
Prevention plays a critical role as well. Connecting at-risk veterans with others through crisis lines and suicide prevention coordinators is vital. Addressing social determinants, particularly economic security and its link to homelessness, should also be a central component of our strategy.
While we’ve made progress in suicide prevention, the statistics remain alarming. Plans and strategies are essential, but they must be followed by swift and determined action. This week there is a clear call to action to pick up a phone or go knock on a door.
By taking part, we can all play a role in saving the lives of those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.
The Honorable David J. Shulkin, M.D. was the Ninth Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.