Experts offer insights on suicide risks among
Gen Z veterans, training in military competency, and models for
crisis support.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 2, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- One of the largest veterans nonprofits shares
suicide risk reduction strategies at one of the leading conferences
on suicide prevention this week. Wounded Warrior
Project® (WWP) will offer insights applicable to
veterans and others at risk.
The Department of Veteran Affairs national suicide report shows
veterans continue to experience suicide loss at a rate nearly 72%
higher than non-veteran U.S. adults, even when adjusted for age and
sex.
"Wounded Warrior Project is grateful to the American Association
of Suicidology (AAS) for putting a spotlight on the needs of the
military community at their conference," said Jennifer Silva, chief program officer at WWP.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to share best practices and
insights and remain committed to addressing the full spectrum of
suicide risk factors among the warriors and families we serve."
Acknowledging Gen Z's High Suicide Risk
Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for Gen Z
Americans, ages 10–24, according to the Centers for Disease
Control. Close to 40% of young warriors, ages 18-24, surveyed* by
WWP™ had suicidal thoughts in the past year. This marked the
highest prevalence of recent suicidal thoughts across any age range
surveyed by WWP.
"It's a topic at the center of my life," said Dan Miller, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who will
deliver a keynote address at AAS24 titled Lessons For My Son:
Helping the Next Generation of Suicide Survivors.
"Suicide nearly ended my life, continues to claim the lives of
my friends, and looms over my young son and his peers who are
currently serving in the military. I'm grateful for the opportunity
to share the wisdom I offer him on how to forge a path out of
darkness," said Miller.
Pioneering Better Suicide Prevention
"Exposure to suicide can increase risk even if the crisis did
not result in a death. A well-rounded approach to reducing suicide
needs to include resources to support and care for someone after
exposure to a suicide loss or crisis," said Lyndsay Tkach, director of Mental and Brain
Health Services at WWP. She oversees suicide prevention,
intervention, and postvention efforts for more than 250,000
registered warriors and family members.
Tkach and her team lead efforts to streamline suicide prevention
and response strategies at WWP. They also facilitate suicide
prevention training for veterans, WWP staff, and community partners
empowering individuals to play an active role in suicide prevention
regardless of clinical background or experience.
Tkach will share evidence-based practices in a workshop titled
Tackling High Suicide Risk in the Post-9/11 Military
Population. Her team will also offer a training workshop titled
Military Competency: Nuances of Interacting with Active Duty,
Veterans, and Their Families.
AAS24 takes place May 5-10 in
Las Vegas during May's Mental
Health Awareness Month. Learn more about military mental wellness
and resources offered by WWP.
*Source: 2022 Annual Warrior Survey, conducted between June 15 and Aug. 24, 2022.
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been
meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and
caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn
more about WWP.
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SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project