New Tool for Veterans Offers Proactive Approach to Suicide Prevention During the Year Following Military Service Labeled the 'Deadly Gap'

It's National Suicide Prevention Month, and once again, Cohen Veterans Network, the non-profit network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, has launched a special initiative to help. Veterans are 1.7 times more likely to die by suicide than civilians, with the highest risk occurring during their transition from military service. To bring awareness to this critical period, Cohen Veterans Network has launched Mind the Gap: Preventing Suicide After Service . The campaign highlights the challenges veterans face during their transition from the military and provides strategies and resources for suicide prevention. Approximately 200,000 men and women each year transition from U.S. military service to civilian life. The year following military service has been called the 'Deadly Gap,' a period in which the veteran suicide rate is 2.5 times the rate among active duty military personnel.As part of the campaign, the network has created a new interactive tool that individuals can utilize for a proactive approach to suicide prevention. The tool Speak Up: How to Address Concerns About Suicide provides suggestions about what to say and do if a loved one is exhibiting signs of emotional distress related to hopelessness, a lack of belonging, guilt, and other difficulties. It can help empower users to effectively engage in difficult conversations and connect those at risk with the help they may need. In addition to therapy, CVN provides comprehensive case management services, which can support transitioning veterans and all clients with potential stressors such as unemployment, finances, housing, and more. These services are tailored to the unique needs of veterans and their families and offer a holistic approach to care. Since its inception in 2016, CVN has treated more than 73,000 clients and provided more than 625,000 clinical sessions. The network treats a wide variety of mental health concerns, including transition challenges, depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger, grief and loss, family and relationship problems, and more. Care is available for the entire military family through the network's 22 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics, serving 20 states in person and via face-to-face video therapy. To learn more, visit cohenveteransnetwork.org/suicideprevention .