VA Focuses On Vet Suicide Prevention

ByBenjamin Krause

Since the Department of Veterans Affairs has increased its focus on mental health over the last few years,  officials for the department said they have seen improvement in the treatment of veterans at risk for suicide, Stars and Stripes reported.

However, officials also estimated that of the veterans who do commit suicide, only one-third had turned to the VA for help.

The announcement was made by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki at the annual defense and veterans suicide prevention conference Wednesday.  According to Stars and Stripes, the theme for the conference was “back to basics” – an attempt to ensure all VA caregivers are knowledgeable of the primary techniques for preventing suicide.

While the department has had progress, there is still frustration when it comes to stopping suicide after years of work.  According to Pentagon officials, 154 military officials committed suicide in just the first 155 days of 2012 – the highest toll for the armed services since 9/11.

Source: FoxNews.com
https://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/06/21/veterans-affairs-focusing-on-fundamentals-suicide-prevention/#ixzz1ySSY7xp7

ABOUT FOUNDER

Benjamin Krause is an award winning veterans rights advocate, attorney, and investigative reporter fighting to advance the rights of veterans for more than a decade. His advocacy work has been featured in national publications such as Bloomberg News, Foreign Policy Magazine, Washington Times, Fox News, CBS, NBC, Star Tribune and more.

Author of the Voc Rehab Survival Guide for Veterans, Benjamin earned degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Minnesota Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Contact Benjamin at Krause Law, PLLC with any legal questions.
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