Suicide_Astonishing Numbers (Episode 3 of 3)
Episode description
Veterans enrolled in VHA care are less likely to be employed and more likely to have lower income levels than Veterans not receiving VHA care.
Unemployment and poverty are correlated with homelessness among Veterans.
With the nation’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in unemployment among Veterans. In April 2020, there were 833,000 more unemployed Veterans than in April 2019. Over this time, the Veteran unemployment rate increased from 2.3% to 11.7%.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual Veterans are more likely to report suicidal ideation and to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcohol problems than heterosexual Veterans.
It is estimated that 37,085 Veterans were homeless and 14,345 were living on the street or unsheltered on any given night in 2019
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255