Every 3 Days A Veteran Commits Suicide in Nevada

Nevada vets commit suicide at alarming rate
LasVegas Now
By Patranya Bhoolsuwan
Published 09/10 2015

LAS VEGAS
One Nevada veteran commits suicide every three days, according to a Nevada study focused on suicides among vets.

The study, Revisiting an Epidemic: Suicide Mortality in Nevada's Military Veterans, Service Members and their Families, was conducted by the state's Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

The highest percentage of veteran suicides in this state are among those who are 55 or older.

Experts say the goal is to raise awareness so vets know there is help available.

When it comes to suicides among veterans, experts say the reasons are complex.

One issue is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

The disorder doesn't only affect young soldiers, it also affects those who fought for their country decades ago.

"They are more therapy for me than I am for them," veteran Cynthia Dias said.

Dias, 64, says her 3 dogs are what keep her happy, but it wasn't always that way. For years, the Vietnam war veteran suffered from severe depression and PTSD.

It got to a point where she contemplated taking her own life.

"It was heartbreaking, anger issues came up that I didn't really understand," she said.

"I believe the problem is worse than what we are hearing," said Arnold Stalk, founder of Veterans Village.
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