The Struggles Veterans Carry Are Not Always Visible
Veteran suicide prevention begins with recognizing that the struggles Veterans carry are not always visible. Military service can shape how a person responds to stress, relationships, danger, responsibility, and loss. For some Veterans, those experiences continue to affect everyday life long after military service has ended.
Returning home does not always mean that the difficult part is over. Veterans may struggle with memories of traumatic events, changes in relationships, finding a new sense of purpose, employment, physical health concerns, or simply adjusting to a life that operates very differently from the military.
Veteran Suicide Remains a Serious Concern
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs continues to track suicide among Veterans through its National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.
In 2023, 6,398 Veterans died by suicide, an average of about 17.5 Veterans each day. Suicide was also the second-leading cause of death among Veterans younger than 45.
Another important finding was that many Veterans who died by suicide had not received VA health care during the previous year. That highlights the importance of reaching Veterans both inside and outside the VA health care system.
Veteran suicide prevention is not only about responding during a crisis. It also involves recognizing when a Veteran may be struggling and helping them connect with support before problems become overwhelming.
PTSD and Suicide Risk in Veterans
Not every Veteran develops post-traumatic stress disorder, and having PTSD does not mean someone will become suicidal. However, trauma and PTSD can make everyday life significantly harder for some Veterans.
PTSD may involve intrusive memories, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, irritability, feeling constantly alert for danger, avoiding reminders of traumatic experiences, emotional numbness, or feeling disconnected from other people.
The VA National Center for PTSD provides information about the relationship between trauma, PTSD, treatment, and recovery.
When PTSD occurs alongside depression, substance use, chronic pain, relationship difficulties, isolation, or other stressors, a Veteran may feel increasingly overwhelmed. Addressing trauma and other mental health concerns can therefore be an important part of Veteran suicide prevention.
Adjusting to Civilian Life Can Be Harder Than Expected
Leaving the military can bring a different set of challenges. Military life often provides structure, clear responsibilities, shared goals, and a strong sense of belonging. Civilian life can feel much less predictable.
Veterans may be trying to build a new career, reconnect with family, adjust to a different daily routine, manage financial pressures, or determine where they fit outside the military.
For some Veterans, the transition also means losing the close connection and shared understanding they had with other service members. Even when returning home is something a Veteran looked forward to, reintegrating into civilian life may take longer than expected.
Struggling with that transition does not mean a Veteran has failed to adjust. Military and Veteran counseling can provide additional support while a Veteran works through changes in identity, relationships, responsibilities, and daily life.
How Counseling and EMDR Can Help Veterans
Counseling can give Veterans a confidential place to discuss experiences they may not feel comfortable talking about with friends or family.
Treatment may address PTSD, depression, anxiety, anger, grief, relationships, substance use, life transitions, or rebuilding a sense of purpose after military service.
One treatment option for trauma and PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR. The VA National Center for PTSD describes EMDR as a trauma-focused treatment that helps people process traumatic memories while focusing on guided back-and-forth movements or sounds.
The goal is not to erase what happened. Instead, EMDR may help reduce how strongly traumatic memories affect thoughts, emotions, and everyday reactions. The VA/Department of Defense clinical practice guideline includes EMDR among the recommended trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD.
At White Oak Counseling & Recovery, trauma counseling and EMDR are available for Veterans who may be struggling with experiences connected with military service or other traumatic events.
White Oak Counseling & Recovery works with Veterans using VA Community Care when authorized. For many Veterans, counseling may be available at $0 out of pocket when services are approved through VA Community Care.
Authorization and renewal requirements can vary, so our office can help explain what information is needed and what to expect during scheduling.
When a Veteran Needs Immediate Help
Changes such as severe hopelessness, withdrawing from others, increasing substance use, talking about death or suicide, or major changes in behavior should be taken seriously.
If a Veteran may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Veterans and their loved ones can also contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or using the online chat.
For concerns that are not an immediate emergency, counseling can be a place to begin addressing trauma, PTSD, depression, difficult transitions, or other struggles before they become more severe.
White Oak Counseling & Recovery provides counseling for Veterans in Middleville and throughout Michigan. Get started with counseling or contact our office to discuss available support.
