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Could it be possible that leadership failure in VA medical facilities is the main reason for the rising veteran suicide cases?

The House Veterans Affairs’ Committee chairperson, Rep. Mark Takano, has emphasized the need for every individual involved in the hospitals’ operation to be more equipped. This means that they have to step up their game in identifying who among the veterans are in crisis.

By understanding each of them, necessary assistance can be extended.

The lawmaker pointed out that the review of policies on the prevention of suicide among veterans should’ve been done a long time ago. According to him, the government can no longer delay this further.

A Stand-Down is Necessary

To provide ample time for the policy review, a stand-down must be done nationwide. This must include not only the leading executive and administrator but also the doctor, nurse, and employee, he said in a statement.

A patient inside the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center reportedly committed suicide in March. The VA inspector general’s report alleged that leadership failures contributed to the tragic event.
Accordingly, the hospital failed to install enough security cameras and closely monitor the patient.
On the other hand, the veterans received some interesting development, the latest veteran news revealed.

In the middle of this week, President Donald J. Trump signed a memorandum to scrap the student debt of veterans.

The document, which was an instruction to the Department of Education, benefits those veterans who are disabled “completely and permanently.”

President Trump said in his speech during the 75th National Convention in Kentucky that he does not want these former soldiers to suffer. He said they must not have large amounts of student debts.
Following the signing of the memo, the qualified veterans are encouraged to apply for this loan forgiveness initiative right away.

This move of the US government may have brought smiles to many veterans. However, the latest veteran news demonstrates the enormity of the challenges that lie ahead.

A study performed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cited several health problems that former soldiers experience. The majority of these are related either to behavioral adjustment disorder or mental illness.

Based on medical records, one in every three veterans suffer from at least one type of mental health disorder. It was further disclosed that suicide cases among them could be linked to a manic-depressive disorder, depression, and different alcohol-related issues.

The study further noted that 18 to 22 veterans take their lives every single day. This high prevalence, therefore, is a real motivation for healthcare professionals to recognize the veterans’ suicidal tendencies.

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), over 6,000 cases of suicide among veterans were recorded from 2008 until 2016.

Meanwhile, there was an increase of 25.9 percent in the suicide rate of adult veterans from 2005 to 2016. Nevertheless, it was noted that cases of veteran suicides in VHA care were lower compared to those in non-VHA care.

The same report showed that the most common manner of committing suicide among veterans in 2016 was through a firearm.