. It noted that 6,146 veterans, more than 16 veterans every day, ended their lives through suicide in 2020.
Days before the VA’s report emerged, nonprofit America’s Warrior Partnership released the alarming results of, a study of eight states' data on civilian and former service member deaths. It found that at least 44 veterans ended their lives each day. This represents a rate 2.4 times higher than the VA estimates. Both the VA and Operation Deep Dive data demonstrate a concerning rate of suicide in the veteran community despite vast efforts underway to curb these tragedies.
ClearForce’s novel approach would be a clear counterbalance to anti-suicide efforts that rely on veterans and service members in crisis to reach out to VA facilities, suicide hotlines, or other organizations. The company’s concept would also complement measures such as theSolid Start program, which involves direct outreach to new veterans at three points during their first year of transition to the civilian world.
Each veteran and service member suicide spreads like a series of delicate fissures, radiating trauma far beyond the person who ends his or her life. Innovative technologies are worth pursuing to help veterans and service members reestablish purpose and pursue better lives.