The Ugly Truth
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For the past ten years, starting back in 2004, unemployment has averaged Nationwide around 7.6% with peaks from 2009 to the present skyrocketing to around 10%. Of this nationwide percentage an average of 6.5% were honorably discharged veterans seeking employment when they came back from their combat/military services. Although State locations within the United States had a strong bearing on these statistics, the overall affect is the same on each individual. States like Michigan and New Jersey had the highest percentage of unemployment while Delaware, Virginia, Iowa, North Dakota and Vermont had the lowest percentages. At least 75% of these percentages were men and women who have a High School Diploma but no college and added skills in order to seek employment. Each of these individuals possesses the characteristics of dependability, organizational skills, great work ethics, diversity, endurance and loyalty. These characteristics were instilled in them during their military training and family values. At VETality, we want to give these men and women the added techniques, skills and needed certifications to take them to the next level to enhance their employment opportunities.
Underlying Issues
For the past ten years the third leading cause of death is suicide. An average of one suicide occurs every 17 minutes. Nationwide rates of suicide have ranged from 12.8% per 100,000 in 2004 to an average of 17.6% per 100,000 in 2013. An average of 22 veterans commit suicide daily and this is a report from only 20 states within the United States.
Much like unemployment, demographics plays an important factor in suicide rates and averages. Veterans share a common importance with suicide victims which is stress, anxiety and depression however the transition from military life to readjustment into civilian life along with any injuries sustained while in the military increases their chances in this statistical arena.
Males make up most of these averages. General William Sherman said in 1865, “Your general now bids you farewell, with the full belief that, as in war you have been good soldiers, so in peace you will make good citizens.” We at VETality feel as General Sherman did that these veterans will make good citizens if given a chance. Our goal is to motivate those veterans going through these troubling times to a positive goal in life through training, support and networking thus minimizing the veteran suicide rate.
