The tragedy of military veterans taking their own lives could use a faith-based solution.
By the end of every day, an average of 20 U.S. military veterans will have committed suicide. This number is staggering, especially when you consider the fact that less than 1 percent of the U.S. adult population are currently serving in the military.
Richard Glickstein, the former president of the National Bible Association and current military/veteran advocate on Capitol Hill, believes one of the reasons is over the last several decades the military’s focus has been on the mind, not the spirit.
Glickstein also blames some of the medications that veterans are given are actually hurting them and can make the thoughts of suicide worse.
Glickstein says 140 years of evidence shows that “The disciplined practice of religion increases resiliency, reduces suicide, and helps to speed the resolution of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD and suicide ideations are conditions of the spirit/soul. Only therapy to this core of a person will affect change.”
The same studies found that people who prayed often and regularly attended religious services were far less likely to have mental health issues. Science shows that once a male civilian enters the military, he is 30-50 percent more likely to commit suicide. For women who enter the military, their chance of mental health disorders and risk of suicide increases 200-500 percent.
The Family Research Council believes new faith-based programs like Soul Survivor Outdoor is a huge steps in the right direction.