Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Partners with Community to raise awareness during September’s Suicide Prevention Month
With consideration paid to the suicide rate among veterans and the military, state and community organizations join together to highlight resources to promote hope and healing
Annapolis, MD – Under the leadership of the Hogan Administration, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George W. Owings announced today the partnership with federal, state, and community organizations to raise awareness during September’s Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a public issue which affects all Marylanders. Recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data reported that from 1999-2014 (the most recent year with data available from the CDC), suicide rates increased 24 percent in the general population for both males and females.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USVA) previously reported that 22 veterans die by suicide per day. A new USVA study released August 3 representing the most comprehensive analysis of veteran suicide rates in the United States shows an average of 20 veterans a day die from suicide. To combat these statistics, a partnership developed during the summer months of 2016 to instill a message that suicide is preventable and to promote hope through sharing of resources for healing.
In an effort to raise awareness of resources available to advance the well-being of our veterans, their transition, as well as reintegration from military service to the civilian world, the following organizations have partnered with the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs to launch a veteran/military-focused messaging campaign during September: the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention, Maryland National Guard, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans, Ft. Meade Suicide Prevention Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Maryland Chapter for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Project 22, Platoon 22, Team Red White and Blue, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Maryland and Honor for All.
“Raising awareness of this important public health issue is vital as it affects individuals, families, and the community,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “For the nearly 10 percent of Marylanders who served in the military, as well as for military members who currently serve, knowledge of resources and how to access care is critical.”
“While the recent USVA report indicates a reduction in the number of deaths by suicide in the veteran community, one is still too many,” said Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Sec. Owings. “Thank you to each organization that is collaborating with our Department to increase awareness during this important month.”
“Suicide among veterans remains a high priority for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention,” said Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Van T. Mitchell. “We stand with these other organizations to not only increase the public’s awareness of the issue, but to also provide suicide prevention resources to veterans and their families.”
Information on the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention can be found here. The Suicide Prevention Month Calendar with events and resources for veterans and military can be found at the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs website, http://veterans.maryland.gov/suicide-prevention-month-calendar-of-events-and-resource-information/.