Each day, about 100 Americans take their own lives, and new efforts nationwide and in East Tennessee are aiming to prevent suicides, especially among our military veterans.
The U.S. is turning to technology to prevent suicides, especially among military veterans. Monday, officials unveiled a new plan using Facebook as part of its community-driven approach.
Users can report suicidal comments they spot online, then Facebook will contact potential victims, letting them know help is available.
Nationwide, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death, taking the lives of twice as many people as homicides each year.
Here in Tennessee, the local VA shares the same sentiment-- that one suicide is one too many. It's starting a push to let people know what type of resources are here.
Debbie Cohan, a suicide prevention coordinator with the local VA clinic, and Scott Stevens, a veteran and patient service assistant at the clinic, joined us to discuss local efforts to prevent military suicides.
Their conversation can be viewed in the video at the top of this page.