A Gathering of Veterans Unveils VA’s Unique Approach to Mental Health
When 77-year-old George McCune makes his way to the Veterans Affairs (VA) campus in North Hills from his home in Northridge, he’s not gearing up for a typical healthcare appointment. Instead, he’s headed to meet his fellow veterans, aging men and women who throw down friendly competitions and work on their fitness as part of the Golden Age Games training. This might not seem like a standard mental health intervention. Yet, the VA believes such gatherings can play an integral role in improving veterans’ lives and potentially preventing suicides.
The Alarming Increase in Elderly Male Suicides
Suicide, a growing concern in the United States, has seen a shocking increase among elderly men. In recent years, men aged 75 and over have been dying by suicide at twice the rate of their younger counterparts. The issue is difficult to overlook, particularly with suicides reaching an all-time high in 2022. While depression is more common among women, men are more likely to die by suicide throughout their lifespan.
In Los Angeles County alone, over 300 men aged 75 and over died by suicide in five years. This number is six times the equivalent figure for women in the same age group.
The Factors Leading to Increased Suicides Among Elderly Men
Loneliness, physical frailty, and presence of diseases are among the major factors that contribute to a higher suicide rate among elderly men. Experts also blame the lack of robust suicide risk screening in healthcare practices, particularly for older adults.
Thomas Joiner, a psychologist at Florida State University, suggests that men tend to suffer from escalating loneliness as they age. As a result, their chances of being identified as at-risk or rescued during a suicide attempt decrease significantly. Older men are also more likely to have access to firearms, making their attempts far more lethal.
Addressing the Issue: The VA’s Innovative approach
The VA’s solution goes beyond conventional mental health checks. They’ve begun to incorporate suicide risk assessments into regular patient care clinics. Paired with media outreach to encourage safe storage of firearms and medications, these steps aim to safeguard older veterans.
Alongside this, another unorthodox approach – regular gatherings like those of the Golden Age Games training – have become a crucial part of the VA’s approach to preventing suicide among veterans.
The Power of Companionship and Recreation
Matthew Miller, director of the VA’s national suicide prevention program, highlights the importance of social and recreational activities for older adults. Regular meetings and shared activities can alleviate the isolation many older veterans experience. Included within a larger community, they find new meaning and purpose, reducing their susceptibility to suicide.
As part of the veterans’ training, the team looks forward to the Golden Age Games, a national competition for veterans aged 55 and over happening annually in August. But rather than waiting for the yearly event, the veterans meet five days a week, maintaining their fitness and camaraderie together throughout the year.
Older Veterans Find Friendship and Hope
Beyond promoting physical health and wellbeing, these gatherings serve as a potent source of emotional healing. Veterans, like George McCune, find an outlet for interacting with like-minded peers. These interactions often form the base for new friendships and support systems. For struggling veterans, often grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder or other challenges, this camaraderie could potentially mean the difference between life and death.
One such veteran, Pasqual Ramirez, shares that training with the team has benefited him physically and mentally. Struggling with enforced isolation, participating in these activities helped him lose weight and controlled his anger issues.
From the soothing nature of small talk to the adrenaline rush of friendly competition, these gatherings serve as both an escape and a source of solace. As such, the VA’s innovative approach to mental health care is making a significant difference, one veteran, and one game at a time.