Since we began the War on Terror, over 115,000 veterans have taken their own lives. Growing research demonstrates a connection between PTSD and suicide thoughts. The research also shows that service members and veterans who have PTSD are 13x more likely to attempt suicide. But, it doesn’t just impact military members. Sexual and physical assault victims have a 22% great chance of attempting suicide, which doubles or triples with repeated trauma.
A larger version of this story with more of the full interview was posted on LinkedIn because of its SEO. If you would like to read it, go here.
Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273–8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
In honor of PTSD Awareness Day, I am posting this conversation I had with Charles Smith On How We Can Help Our Fellow Military Service Members Suffering From PTSD — Before It’s Too Late.
Our mutual goal is to bring awareness and also to get the conversation going at the highest levels.
PTSD and Suicide Thoughts Statistics
It is extremely sad that suicide is becoming a leading cause of death not only in the United States but over 800,000 suicides yearly. The rates are only going up especially within certain communities, such as veterans, and in countries like Japan.
Of particular note, I recently found that the National Center for PTSD found that a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with suicide thoughts is far greater for veterans.
Just consider how unnerving to think about what it would be like if your loved ones or close friends were in so much inner pain that they could no longer go on living.
Not taking these concerns seriously can lead to devastating outcomes — something that I have experienced firsthand as a servicemember and a friend to those who have taken their own lives due to PTSD.
A Conversation With Chuck Smith on PTSD and Suicide Thoughts
I used the opportunity of PTSD awareness month to utilize this episode of Passion Struck Podcast to sit down with Charles “Chuck” Smith to discuss the connection between PTSD and suicide thoughts.
Chuck and I both have personally been impacted by suicide in our lives. I personally suffers from PTSD and our combined passion for helping those in need of help to become passion struck. According to Charles Smith:
“When you look at the statistics, in particular, in the veteran community, the suicide rate is one and a half times that in the general population. So that’s a segment of the population that is highly at risk, and we’ve got to talk about it.”
Chuck lost his Executive Officer from the Marine Corps due to suicide and PTSD. He used the platform of a now-famous TedTalk to give his perspective on this topic we are not talking enough about.
He and I spoke about the events that led up to that TedX and what we think the leaders at the highest levels must do to address it.
PTSD and Suicide Thoughts Resources
It’s never too late to ask for help. For more information about PTSD, suicide, and mental health impacts on members of the U.S. military, click here and here.
Make sure to watch Chuck Smith’s TedTalk online here.
The Passion Struck podcast is helping men and women unlock their true potential and become passion struck every day. Listen to the Passion Struck Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts online. For more information if you are in a toxic relationship, click here.
Make a choice, work hard, and step into your sharp edges.
