Graphic of the week: Ohio veterans and suicide

September is Suicide Prevention Month and in July, Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill designating Sept. 22 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day. 
 
HPIO analysis of Veterans Administration data found that the suicide rate for veterans in 2021 was nearly 80% higher than Ohio overall, as illustrated above. Data also shows that veteran suicides are more often completed using a firearm. The VA data found that the veteran suicide rate in Ohio is about the same as the national veteran suicide rate, but is significantly higher than the national general population suicide rate. 
 
“Suicide among Veterans is at a crisis level,” according to the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). “Though we’ve come a long way in learning how to recognize the signs and what to do to help, we need to step up the effort to integrate suicide prevention practices within post-service culture, connect those in need to life-saving resources, and improve access to mental health care.” 
 
To learn more about suicide prevention for veterans, visit OSPF’s website. 
 
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org 24/7 for free and confidential support.