Huffington Magazine Issue 64-65 | Page 48

INVISIBLE CASUALTIES 2000. Those who have been hospitalized have a “greatly elevated” suicide risk, the study found. Experts such as David Litts of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention believe the stress on the force will continue to rise — even with the pace of combat deployments declining. One of many reasons for this, Litts said, is that the military is shrinking because of budget reductions, cutting short anticipated careers and disrupting family plans. “A lot of people will be pushed to leave active duty who weren’t planning on it,” said Litts, noting that separation from friends and isolation are key risk factors for suicidal behavior. The raw numbers of suicides are relatively small: the 350 active-duty suicides last year occurred in a total active-duty force of 1.4 million. Even the estimated 8,000 veteran suicides a year is a small percent of the 22.3 million American veterans. But any suicide is a tragic loss, crushing to those left behind. “You are burnt to the ground,” said Kim Ruocco, whose husband, Maj. John Ruocco, a Marine Cobra gunship pilot with 75 combat missions in Iraq, died by suicide in 2005. WARNING SIGNS SOMEONE MAY BE AT RISK OF SUICIDE HUFFINGTON 09.01-08.13 People at risk of suicide display warning signs. It’s important to learn these signs, be alert to them and know what to do next. Most suicides come during an acute but temporary crisis. Helping someone through a crisis may save a life. Ask if the person is feeling suicidal. Show that you care. Offer to take that person to get help. If you have concerns about yourself or someone else, please call the national crisis line for the military and veterans at 1-800-273-8255, send a text to 838255, or open a chat line at the website. It’s staffed 24/7 by mental health professionals, and it’s free and confidential. EXPERTS SAY THAT PEOPLE WHO MAY BE AT RISK OF SUICIDE OFTEN: • Appear sad, depressed, anxious or agitated. • Express hopelessness or say they lack reasons to live. • Are unable to sleep, or sleep all the time. • Are withdrawn from friends, family and society. • Feel trapped or in unbearable pain. • Have frequent and dramatic mood changes. • Feel excessively guilty or ashamed, or feel they have been a failure and that their family and friends would be better off without them. •Abuse drugs or alcohol. A PERSON THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE MAY: • Put his or her affairs in order, tie up loose ends and/or make out a will. • Seek access to firearms, pills or other means of harming oneself. • Give away prized possessions. • Call or visit family and/or friends as if to say goodbye. SOURCES: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SUICIDE PREVENTION OFFICE, VETERANS CRISIS LINE, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, NATIONAL ACTION ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION