- Frank Larkin is COO of the Troops First Foundation and chair of the Warrior Call initiative.
Tennessee maintains one of the largest veteran populations in America, home to some 450,000 men and women who served. Yet as outlined by the state’s Department of Veteran Services, “only 220,000 of these Veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System and only 150,000 receive any type of benefit earned through their military service.”
Disconnect from these critical services is often a major factor in veterans suffering and also in taking their own life. “What we found is that two-thirds of these veterans who take their own lives have had no contact with the VA,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of neighboring Virginia.
Indeed, despite recent attempts by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to claim progress for a reduction in suicide rates – the numbers remain troublingly high. Their numbers show that in 2020 – the most recent data available – that veterans commit suicide at a 57% higher rate than non-veterans. In Tennessee, the data show the veteran suicide rate is significantly higher than the general civilian population.
Moreover, research from partners at America’s Warrior Partnership says the VA numbers undercount the total by 2.4%.
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Here’s how you can help a veteran in need
Regardless, it is clear that – despite heightened awareness around this issue – that more must be done. We must address causes more thoroughly – including in accounting for traumatic brain injuries – we must better assess grey areas – including drug and alcohol addiction – and we need more meaningful public policies and dollars to actually reach our veterans.
Yet we must also aim for the most important and feasible tool of all: connection.
Disconnection not just from VA services but from others is a fatal corollary for veterans around the country and in Tennessee. Veteran advocates believe “warrior calls” can make a difference.
This initiative asks that individuals — especially active duty and retired military personnel — make a call to a warrior, with someone who has worn or is currently wearing the uniform and connect them with supports, if necessary. This includes the new 988 hotline number for those in distress, as well as national veteran service organizations like Vets4Warriors or groups in Tennessee like Vet to Vet Tennessee.
A connection can facilitate honest dialogue, create a desire to stay in contact and help define a viable path forward. All it takes is a phone call or an in-person check-in to forge a path toward better connectivity.
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Warrior Call Day resolution elevates the issue
Time is of the essence to make these connections. In addition to post traumatic stress, invisible wounds linked to an underlying and undiagnosed traumatic brain injury can mirror many mental health conditions and spark isolation and suicidal ideation.
In addition, the moral injury a service member might sustain – at witnessing death and damage up close and participating in it – can do the same.
We recently celebrated Veterans Day and leaders supporting Warrior Call rallied around “National Warrior Call Day” on November 13. This effort was supported by scores of veteran advocates, Medal of Honor recipients and former leaders of the Department of Veterans Affairs. A large contingent of senators also support a resolution marking the Sunday after Veterans Day as Warrior Call Day.
A clear call to action, Warrior Call complements other initiatives too, such as the Governor’s Challenge on Suicide Prevention, supported by Gov. Bill Lee.
By enlisting Tennesseans and Americans,…
Read More: Veteran suicide remains a problem, but a ‘warrior call’ can help.