NORFOLK, Va. — The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the Up Center in Virginia Beach launched a campaign this month to raise awareness for what it calls an overlooked mental health crisis: the high suicide rate among women veterans.
Women veterans die by suicide at nearly twice the rate of their civilian counterparts — a number that has increased significantly in the post-9/11 era. While all veterans face higher rates of suicide than civilians, women who served face unique challenges — during their service and in the systemic gaps that follow them home.
During National Suicide Prevention Month, the clinic launched the “Have Her Six” campaign for women veterans.
The title refers to the military term “got your six,” meaning to have someone’s back. The public awareness campaign highlights the issue of suicide among military women, shares prevention strategies tailored to women veterans and service members and encourages greater support for women who serve.
Women veterans have specific and challenging experiences in military service and beyond, said Tanetta Hassell, the clinic’s director. A disproportionate number face military sexual trauma or intimate partner violence. For many, these issues go untreated during service, and once they are discharged, they may not know where to go or may not find providers who understand their experiences.
Hassell, a daughter and sister to military veterans, says it’s important to meet their women veteran clients where they are.
“We are who we serve at the clinic,” said Hassell. “We have women on staff that are military affiliated or they served themselves to try to reduce some of those barriers that might be there for women at other settings.”
Hassell said her clinic offers veterans a chance to be seen within 10 days of initial contact, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The clinic also provides child care, the lack of which often is another barrier to access.
In addition to campaigns such as Have Her Six, Hassell said the clinic works with the Department of Veterans Affairs, United Way and other partners as well as advertising their services on social media.
Research by the clinic found there are gendered misconceptions about suicide risk among women veterans, particularly around firearms. According to their study, in 2022, veteran women were over 144% more likely to die by firearm suicide than non-veteran peers.
The report also notes that many women veterans are ineligible for or not connected to the VA for care.
“I think sometimes that might create an assumption that women are not resilient, or that they’re not willing to access care,” Hassell said.
But she knows that’s not the whole story. At the Cohen clinic, in its sixth year in Hampton Roads, 20% of its military clients are women — nearly double the proportion of women in the U.S. veteran population.
With over 2 million women veterans in the United States, they represent the fastest growing segment of the group.
Hassell’s message to women veterans?
“We are here for you. We know how resilient you are. We know that you’ve overcome a lot. It’s safe — you’re eligible for our care, no questions asked.”
Emma Rose Brown, 757-805-2256, emma.brown@virginiamedia.com
Source: Berkshire mont
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