Veteran Suicides Drop Slightly in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is reporting a slight decline in veteran suicides.  There were more than a hundred each year between 2014 and 2019 and 100 died by suicide in 2020.  Veteran Suicide Prevention Coordinator Kristi Charles says that number fell to 94 last year:

“We are hopeful and what we do know is that suicide is preventable.  Some of it is just spreading awareness and knowledge and having some of those tough conversations. Some of it is looking people in the eye and connecting and knowing resources and how to plug into them and how to ask for help.”

The fourth annual Minnesota Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day was Saturday.   Veterans struggling with mental health and other issues can call the 9-8-8 Crisis Line and press 1 to connect with a “veteran” specific counselor.