Veterans Account for 18% of all Suicides in the United States

Veterans account for 18% of all suicides in the United States, with 20 veterans each day committing [suicide], according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, over the last 10 years, the U.S. government has spent more than $4.5 billion dollars solely on medicating soldiers and veterans despite the fact that there are 27 international drug-regulatory agency warnings stating that psychiatric drugs cause a myriad of alarming behavioral side effects including suicidal thoughts. [1][2]

These alarming statistics prompted the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) to host an event to educate veterans on the dangerous side effects of psychiatric drugs as well as their rights under the law. Led by a decorated combat veteran, John Wilcher, the event will cover [PTSD](https://www.cchrflorida.org/), [depression](https://www.cchrflorida.org/) and suicide in addition to alternative solutions to traditional treatment. Those in attendance will also be shown excerpts from the award-winning documentary The Hidden Enemy which exposes the covert operation behind military suicides.

As a veteran, I had a hard time adjusting to civilian life but I was able to get past my breaking point with help and so now I want to return the favor and help other veterans, said Wilcher. Regaining my purpose saved my life and it is my duty to reach out and help other veterans find their purpose.

The complimentary event is being held on February 20th at the headquarters for CCHR Florida located in downtown Clearwater. For more information or to reserve a seat please call 727-442-8820.

About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHRs mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the free world tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of mental health, he wrote in March 1969. For more information visit [www.cchrflorida.org](http://www.cchrflorida.org/)

Sources:

[1] https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2016/07/07/new-va-study-finds-20-veterans-commit-suicide-each-day/

[2] https://www.cchrint.org/issues/the-hidden-enemy/

Company :-Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida

User :- Diane Stein

Email :-publicaffairs@cchrflorida.org

Phone :-+1--+1--+1-

Mobile:- -

Url :- http://www.cchrflorida.org/