A third of US veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan wars consider suicide

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By IndiaTomorrow.net,
Washington, DC, 26 July 2014: What the United States got from the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is little known and contested, but what the American soldiers got is known and consensus. Majority of them were inflicted with mental illness – a good number even committed suicide in last 10 years. About one-third of former soldiers of United States who have fought the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have considered committing suicide, reveals a survey released Thursday by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

The largest nongovernmental survey of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say nearly half of all US veterans of the wars in the two countries know at least one fellow troop who has attempted suicide, and 40% know someone who has died by suicide.

The IAVA 2014 Member Survey, based on over 2,000 respondents – all certified American soldiers of Iraq and Afghanistan wars, reveals that 53% of the respondents have admitted they have a mental health injury. While 18% have TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), some 44% have PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder).

More than one-third of the respondents said they know at least one Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who has died by suicide.

Highlights of Survey:

Suicide
47% of respondents know at least one Iraq or Afghanistan veteran that has attempted suicide.

31% have thought about taking their own life since joining the military.

40% of respondents know at least one Iraq or Afghanistan veteran that has died by suicide.

Mental Health
53% of respondents have a mental health injury – 18% diagnosed with TBI and 44% with PTSD.

73% of respondents who have a mental health injury are getting care.

Job
10% of respondents are currently unemployed.
53% of respondents are currently employed.
61% of employed respondents are satisfied with their job.

Disability Compensation
70% of respondents who filed a disability compensation claim waited over 120 days for the VA to notify them of a decision on their claim.

65% of respondents reported a financial impact while they waited on their claim.

40% of respondents have a service-connected injury for which they have not filed a claim.

“These data show a generation of veterans who are still facing significant challenges, but are rising to meet them. It shows the need for the nation to step up and support this generation of veterans. That starts with understanding their stories, their hopes, their triumphs, and their challenges,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq veteran and Founder & CEO of IAVA.

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