Live Stream: Veteran and Military Suicide With Tim Imholt:

The live stream discussed the alarming rates of veteran and military suicide, which are 52-62% higher than the general population, with even worse rates for enlisted personnel.

The Veteran and Military Suicide Live Stream On YouTube

Host:

For more great content like this, Timothy Imholt’s channel is located here on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@TimothyImholt

Live Stream: Topical Summary:

Key contributing factors include difficult transitions to civilian life, unemployment or underemployment, inadequate support systems, chronic pain, and health issues often overlooked by the VA.  Along with a sense of isolation after leaving military service.

The participants emphasized the need for better transition programs, improved job placement matching veterans’ skills, addressing the political issues within the VA system, and creating stronger support networks among veterans to help combat these issues.

Other Articles:

If you would like to look at a different professional perspective melding this article’s about protecting those veteran friends and family around us, with current actions incorporating our writing with our experiences, HERE is our LinkedIn conversation.

Still a heavy topic, but we addressed these issues from a slightly different angle HERE on X. com if that might be more your speed.

Veteran Suicide Statistics:

Veteran suicide rates are alarmingly high, ranging between 52-62% higher than the general population. These numbers are even worse when focusing solely on enlisted veterans, as opposed to including officers in the statistics.

Transition Challenges:

Many veterans struggle with the transition from military to civilian life. This often results in unemployment or underemployment, especially for enlisted ranks, leading to financial stress and other issues that can contribute to suicide risk.

VA System Issues:

The Veterans Affairs (VA) system is plagued by political issues and inefficiencies. Veterans often face long wait times for appointments, difficulty proving service-related injuries, and a “deny until they die” attitude from the VA, exacerbating health problems and contributing to mental health issues.

Burn Pit Exposure:

Many veterans suffer long-term health effects from exposure to burn pits during their service. The VA often fails to recognize these health issues as service-related, leading to inadequate care and support for affected veterans.

Civilian Misunderstanding:

There’s a significant disconnect between veterans and civilians in understanding the challenges faced by former service members. This lack of understanding can lead to isolation and difficulty in relating to others, contributing to mental health issues.

Employment Difficulties:

Veterans, especially enlisted members, often face challenges in finding suitable employment after leaving the military. Many employers fail to understand or value military skills and experiences, leading to underemployment and financial stress.

Chronic Pain and Health Issues:

Many veterans suffer from chronic pain and service-related health issues that are often overlooked or denied by the VA. This ongoing pain and lack of proper care can contribute to mental health problems and increase suicide risk.

Isolation and Relationship Struggles:

Veterans often struggle with isolation and difficulty maintaining relationships after leaving the military. The lifestyle and experiences of military service can make it challenging to relate to civilians and maintain personal connections.

Need for Better Support Systems:

There’s a critical need for improved long-term support systems for veterans beyond the initial transition period. This includes better job placement programs, mental health support, and assistance with reintegration into civilian society.

Political Use of Veterans:

Veterans often feel used as “props” during holidays or for political purposes without receiving meaningful support. This perception can lead to frustration and disillusionment, potentially contributing to mental health issues.

Personal Veteran Experiences Guiding Fiction:

Based on the shared veteran experiences discussed in the live stream it is important to point out that I have used many of these experiences as a foundation for writing my military science fiction books.

Many of the summarized points illustrated in my work are drawn from my own experience:

• The stark contrast between military and civilian life, especially in terms of communication styles, priorities, and understanding of life-or-death situations.
  • It was s difficult book to write, but Symbiote hit this and the next point hard
  • Here is Symbiote if you want to look at that book: Symbiote
• The deep bonds formed between service members, and how those relationships can be both a source of strength and a source of trauma when lost.
• The challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, including difficulties finding suitable employment and feeling understood by civilians.
  • This is a strong theme in my Guardsman Series of books!
  • I narrated those books and wrote this isolation strongly starting in Episode #2
  • Here at the beginning is the Doug Narrated: Guardsman Episode #1
• The long-term physical and mental health impacts of service, including issues like chronic pain, PTSD, and exposure to environmental hazards.
  • This was another strong theme in my Guardsman Series:
  • If you do not want to listen to me babbling, that book series STARTS HERE
• The complex emotions surrounding holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and how veterans often feel misunderstood during these times.
• The tendency for some veterans to seek redeployment or dangerous situations as a way to cope with civilian life difficulties.
• The unique gallows humor and communication style that develops among service members as a coping mechanism.
• The lasting impact of command decisions and the weight of responsibility felt by leaders for their subordinates’ lives.
• The disconnect between public perceptions of military service and the realities experienced by veterans.