A cooperative agreement was announced Thursday that will implement a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention among veterans and their families in the region.

The initiative is a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh’s Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU), the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The plan is for the initiative to reduce the average rate of suicides in 15 counties — including Butler — among veterans by 10 percent over a period of five years.

This is a terrific idea — and an initiative of great importance.

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 17 U.S. veterans die by suicide every day — a rate that is about 1.5 times greater than non-veterans, while studies from several years ago by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs indicated that number could be slightly higher.

“Our veterans and their families endure added stress in their lives because of the incredible sacrifices they made while serving our nation,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, the state’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA.

As part of the initiative, the CDC has given PERU $700,000 in funding each year for five years to help lower the rate of veteran suicides in northwestern Pennsylvania.

It will go toward the development and implementation of risk assessment programs, community-based training sessions and health care initiatives across the 15 counties involved in the cooperative agreement.

We’re glad to hear it. The American Psychological Association notes that a variety of factors can play a part in suicides among veterans — including insomnia, depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, having difficulty with relationships or transitioning back to civilian life and lingering stress from military service.

We hope the cooperative announced this week will provide resources and programs that will help the initiative meet its goal of lowering the suicide rate among veterans during the next five years — but eventually get that number down to zero.

Our veterans have sacrificed much for their country, so providing programs to help those among them who struggle is the least we can do for them. We hope this initiative is a great success.

— NCD