As I was researching material for a presentation this coming week, I came upon some fact sheets that highlight statistics regarding mental illness and it’s impact on Veterans and their families. The numbers are staggering!

• Each month 950 Veterans attempt suicide.
• Each day 22 Veterans commit suicide.

Please take a minute to click on this link NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness and read more about how you can help a loved one who is suffering.

“Every suicide represents a tragic loss to our Army and the nation. We are confident that efforts aimed at increasing individuals’ resiliency, while reducing incidence of at-risk and high-risk behavior across the force, are having a positive impact. We absolutely recognize there is much work to be done and remain committed to ensuring our people are cared for and have ready access to the best possible programs and services.”
Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and 2011 recipient of the Hero of Medicine
Award from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine