SPAN focuses on suicide prevention for veterans and active duty personnel

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By Matt Loveless

Summary

Suicide Prevention Action Network holds meeting to explore why suicide rate of active and former members of the military is twice that of the general population.

Story Published: Apr 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM PST

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM PST

LEWISTON - They serve our country overseas, but when they come home, do servicemen and women hold onto the pride of that service, or the trauma of war?

That was the focus of the Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) Wednesday night as they talked about suicide prevention for veterans.

"National Statistics show the veterans of all ages complete suicide at twice the rate of citizens who aren't veterans," said SPAN member Steven Button. "But even more alarmingly, those in the 20-24 age range, are at up to four times the rate of citizens. So, it's certainly an epidemic."

Wednesday night SPAN welcomed guest speakers from the Walla Walla Veterans Association, who addressed the issues of veterans and those currently serving.

"One of the things we see a lot with veterans is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, from some of things they've witnessed while they're serving, and we all know depression is the leading cause of suicide.," said Button.

Wednesday's event at the Lewiston VFW welcomed friends and family members of vets and currently deployed servicemen and women.

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