Federal Grant Aims to Reduce Veteran Suicides in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is set to benefit from a $600,000 grant from the Biden administration, a move expected to address veteran suicide rates and enhance understanding of their mental health challenges, as stated by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).
The DMVA announced on November 7th that these funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will be used to initiate suicide mortality review programs in York and Westmoreland counties. These pilot programs, lasting one year, will establish teams consisting of mental health experts, law enforcement, and other professionals to analyze data on veteran suicides and develop preventive strategies.
As part of their efforts, these teams will engage with the families of veterans who have died by suicide to gain deeper insights into their lives. Sarah Herr, an executive policy specialist at the DMVA, expressed the hope that this approach would lead to better mental health service connections for veterans and reduce suicides within the counties and across Pennsylvania.
“Did that person have any mental health issues? Were they trying to get a doctor appointment, maybe at the VA, and they were unable to, and, because of that, this is why it happened?” Herr said. “So we’re really trying to understand the root cause as to what went wrong, what are the gaps in the system?”
This initiative comes in response to data highlighting the higher suicide rates among veterans compared to nonveterans, as noted by the VA. The DMVA reported that veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, with female veterans facing a 2.2 times higher risk. Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans.
The DMVA is set to publish a report next September detailing the pilot programs’ findings, including recommendations for both state and federal veteran affairs departments. Herr indicated that these programs could lead to further funding and possibly new state policies aimed at suicide prevention, particularly through improved data collection on veteran suicides.
Currently, there is no centralized database for veteran suicide statistics in Pennsylvania, which complicates efforts to fully grasp and address the issue, Herr explained. The data collected over the next year could also enhance suicide prevention training statewide. Herr referenced examples from other states where suicide prevention training is provided to animal shelter workers, based on findings that individuals contemplating suicide often leave pets at shelters.
This funding is part of a larger state and national movement to combat veteran suicides. Since January 2020, the Pennsylvania DMVA has been part of a national initiative called the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, run by the VA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The national program includes training focused on suicide prevention and “lethal means safety,” which ensures safe firearm storage. “We give out thousands of gun locks on a yearly basis,” Herr said, noting that they plan to distribute 500 free gun locks at the upcoming Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg in January.
Herr noted that veterans often face challenges such as trauma, difficulties readjusting to civilian life, physical injuries, and lack of support networks, which can result in feelings of isolation. “The combination of these factors make it essential to provide the support and mental health resources for veterans, ensuring that they have access to the help they need during these challenging times,” she said.
Regarding the increased suicide risk among female veterans, Herr suggested that military sexual trauma might be a contributing factor. According to an August report from Brown University’s Watson Institute, 24% of female military members reported sexual assault, compared to 1.9% of male members. The report highlighted that women of color and LGBTQ+ individuals face the highest assault rates. Herr emphasized that while military sexual trauma isn’t definitively linked to suicide, it is a significant trend that warrants further research.
Herr and her team are dedicated to ensuring veterans are aware of available support services and aim to enhance access in the coming years. “Our biggest message is to let veterans know that they are not alone, that if you are struggling, that help is just a call away,” Herr said.
Resources for Veterans at Risk of Suicide:
In a crisis, veterans can call the veterans crisis line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
DMVA PA VetConnect offers various mental health resources: https://www.dmva.pa.gov/VetConnect/Pages/VetConnect.aspx
The federal VA has suicide prevention coordinators at each VA medical center. Locate your nearest center at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/.
For more resources, visit https://www.dmva.pa.gov/Veterans/SpecialInitiatives/Pages/SuicidePrevention.aspx.
This story was originally posted by the Pennsylvania Independent.
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