When our veterans return from duty, more often than not they struggle to fit into civilian life. Some have issues finding employment, receiving aid from the government for their time of service, or other lingering issues that lead to homelessness. Over ten percent of all adult homeless population are veterans. Due to the many psychosocial stressors our veterans are faced with, veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. As the veteran affairs association looks to decrease suicide among vets, more resources are being implemented to aid vets in their time of need.
In 2009, the veteran affairs organization stated its goal to abolish veterans becoming or currently being homeless by spending over $10 billion during the next seven years in the following areas: VA healthcare, housing, and social services. With this change, the population of homeless vets fell about 47% at the end of the 7-year project. While this change is welcome, it still does not eliminate the issue of vets committing suicide.
Recently, the VA has taken another approach to analyze which veterans are at high-risk to commit suicide. The VA now has a list with the potential red-flag veterans who are likely to commit suicide with suicide prevention coordinators to offer assistance. One particular VA location that was analyzed was in the state of Connecticut. It was discovered that over 10% of the people on the list for committing suicide were also homeless. This statistic is significant, as it hints to more involvement is needed from the VA to homeless vets and vets with similar mental conditions to receive proper treatment.
While there is no single good answer on how to improve suicide prevention and homelessness among vets, there are solutions being implemented. Change is coming for the countless vets that are currently homeless and at high risk for suicide as well as vets who are domiciled and struggle with a variety of different psychosocial stressors. Currently the VA is focused on increasing resources, as well as putting a higher emphasis on identifying and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (a common disorder which is developed after traumatic events).