Well, you kinda were...But you didn’t define the terms...
But that is ok...I’m not really trying to bust yer chops so much...
I am in agreement with SmoothSailing in #31...
I believe the rate is fairly equal between the two prime groupings...From a statistical standpoint it is equal in my opinion...
So are we to pity anyone who chooses to volunteer to serve our country in the armed services, and who may obtain a status of Veteran upon their discharge, and thus be subjected to this increased counseling and labeling at the slightest indications of stress, a label of “PTSD” and thus medicate them into oblivion???
I would prefer not to...I think an army of Veterans to counsel Veterans is the best medicine...Leave the psycho babbling hug-monkeys to their stuffy offices and “I Love Me” walls of academic accolades...
If I understand you correctly, I agree that treating veterans as if they’re guaranteed mentally ill and medicating them is a bad idea, and that peer support is one of the best ways to help those who have been significantly traumatized. On the other hand, if the incidence of suicide is significantly higher among veterans than among comparable non-veterans, it’s worth looking at the contributing factors and trying to reduce them.
For example, for all suicides, there’s a strong correlation with divorce/relationship breakup, substance abuse, and (other than teenagers) high levels of debt. If those factors are more common among veterans than among comparable non-veterans, then the DoD, the VA, private groups, or all of the above could work with active duty personnel and veterans on relationship skills, substance-abuse prevention, and financial management.