Military suicides up dramatically since COVID-19

While we’ve been bombarded with stories about COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, there is another grim statistic of the pandemic now coming to light.

Suicides.

In August, the CDC published a report on “Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic” noting “Elevated levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use, and suicidal ideation were reported by adults in the United States in June 2020. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorder was approximately three times those reported in the second quarter of 2019 (25.5 percent versus 8.1 percent), and prevalence of depressive disorder was approximately four times that reported in the second quarter of 2019 (24.3 percent versus 6.5 percent).”

Suicide is already the 10th-leading cause of death in the U.S. according to the CDC’s most recent data.

But the problem is even more acute in the military.

In 2012, for the first time in nearly a generation, more active-duty soldiers killed themselves than died in combat. For the year, an estimated 7,500 veterans died by suicide.

One in five suicide deaths in this country is a veteran.

And now it appears that number is increasing.

The AP reports “Military suicides have increased by as much as 20% this year compared to the same period in 2019, and some incidents of violent behavior have spiked as service members struggle under COVID-19, war-zone deployments, national disasters and civil unrest.”

The Pentagon hasn’t provided specific data, and it’s too early to know for sure, but according to AP, Army officials said discussions in Defense Department briefings indicate there has been up to a 20 percent jump in overall military suicides this year.

While it’s difficult to say definitively that the pandemic is to blame, the timing adds up.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in an interview, “I can’t say scientifically, but what I can say is – I can read a chart and a graph, and the numbers have gone up in behavioral health related issues. We cannot say definitively it is because of COVID. But there is a direct correlation from when COVID started, the numbers actually went up.”

Gen. Charles Brown, the Air Force chief said what we’re all feeling: “COVID adds stress… (It’s not) just an Air Force problem, this is a national problem because COVID adds some additional stressors – a fear of the unknown for certain folks.”

If feelings of anxiety and stress are increasing in the general population, it is only worse among service members.

Soldiers’ 10-month deployments have been stretched to 11 months because of the two-week coronavirus quarantines at the beginning and end.

Wounded veterans have faced even more isolation. Injured vets have had to deal with disruptions in medical visits for pain management and other treatments.

It’s a national crisis and one that hits us especially hard at Nine Line.

That’s why we’ve partnered with 22 Until None to raise awareness of what we all can do to avert the crisis of military suicides and raise funds to help those on the verge.

We will always be our brothers’ keeper.

Veterans should not be dying or suffering after putting their lives on the line in service for our country’s freedom. Those who have served deserve only the best support available, especially in terms of psychiatric and medical care. They should be honored and protected.

If you or someone you know might be struggling or hurting right now, know you are not alone. Reach out to a friend, a battle buddy, or even call a veteran support hotline (our friends at 22 Until None are always standing by: 866-254-9961). There is ALWAYS another option.

Proceeds from our 22 a Day design goes towards combating veteran suicide. Help spread awareness and join the fight.