Mata testimony: veteran suicide data and prevention approach
Mata presents data showing NYC veterans died by suicide at approximately twice the rate of civilians between 2012-2022, with concerning disparities among younger veterans. She outlines DVS's prevention approach focused on reducing isolation and strengthening social connection.
This past Sunday, just two days after the 25th anniversary of September 11, more than 1,200 members of the military and veteran-affiliated community here in New York City
joined us for the city's inaugural Remembrance Ruck across the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Ruck was first and foremost an act of remembrance, but it was also intentionally centered on camaraderie and community.
Veterans do not always come to DBS through a formal intake.
Process or because they have already identified a specific need.
Sometimes the first step is showing up, meeting another veteran, talking with a peer, or simply realizing there is a community around them.
An event is not a substitute for clinical care, but it reinforces why connection and belonging must be part of our broader approach to mental health and suicide prevention.
The data on veteran suicide underscore the urgency of this work.
Research examining veteran mortality in New York City between 2012 and 2022 found that veterans died by suicide at approximately twice the rate of the city's civilian population, with particularly concerning disparities among younger veterans.
Suicide prevention cannot belong to one program, one agency, or one level of government.
For DVS, prevention means reducing isolation, strengthening social connection, identifying needs earlier, helping veterans navigate resources, and ensuring there is a
pathway to professional care when it is needed.