This Suicide Prevention Month, Aleda E. Lutz VAMC Offers Veterans Support through Events and Resources

This September, throughout Suicide Prevention Month, Aleda E. Lutz VAMC is offering events and resources to help Veterans who are struggling.

In addition to the local resources offered, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Ad Council have released new public service advertisements (PSAs) as a part of the ongoing national campaign: “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” which first launched in 2021. The new PSAs were informed by extensive research with Veterans and features a diverse range of Veterans reflecting on the difficulties of asking for support. The PSA directs audiences to VA.gov/REACH, a comprehensive website designed to help Veterans navigate the wide range of resources available.

“These events and resources help promote connectedness - connectedness to other Veterans, family members, community organizations and social institutions,” said Wendy Schultz, Suicide Prevention Program Manager. “It helps Veterans to feel valued and welcomed back into civilian life. It also helps civilians to better understand a small piece of what military life is like and how we can support Veterans transition from military to civilian life.”    

Although the Veteran suicide rate meaningfully decreased in both 2019 and 2020, the suicide rate among Veterans in 2020 was 57% higher than non-Veteran adults, according to the most recent available data from the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Suicide is complex, and stressful life events like life transitions or struggles with housing can be risk factors. Our medical center offers resources to support Veterans across a wide range of life challenges, before these problems become overwhelming.

Our efforts support VA’s 10-year strategy to end Veteran suicide through a comprehensive, public health approach. According to VA’s 2022 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report:

• In each year from 2001 through 2020, age- and sex-adjusted suicide rates of Veterans exceeded those of non-Veterans.
• Among Veterans between ages 18–44, suicide was the second-leading cause of death.
• 44,298 U.S. adults died in 2020 from suicide. This included 6,146 Veteran suicides.

Everyone can be part of the solution by checking in with the Veterans in their life and encouraging them to reach out if they need help. Visit VA.gov/REACH to download and share social media content to spread the word.

In addition to Suicide Prevention Month, Aleda E. Lutz VAMC offers assistance for Veterans all year round. Learn more by visiting https://www.va.gov/saginaw-health-care/ or contacting the Suicide Prevention Program Manager at 989-497-2500, extension 11778.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Reporters covering this issue can download VA’s Safe Messaging Best Practices fact sheet or visit www.ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.

The Aleda E. Lutz VAMC in Saginaw, Michigan operates an 81-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation Community Living Center. It provides care to over 40,126 Veterans in a 35-county geographic area, from mid-Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge. Veterans can also receive care at one of our nine VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics located throughout Michigan. More information about this VA can be found at https://www.va.gov/saginaw-health-care/.  

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Tara Scheuer, Public Affairs Officer

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