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‘We’ve lost just as many to suicide back home’: Oklahoma battles high veteran suicide rates
Andrew Lucas, left, and Shyla B set up combat boots for the annual Memorial Day display at the Broken Arrow Veterans Center to represent fallen service members from Oklahoma.
Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
By Ginnie Graham, Tulsa Flyer
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Jeremy Founds was serving in the Marines when 9/11 happened. He was deployed to Iraq in 2005, and 48 of his fellow Marines died in combat.
“And we’ve lost just as many to suicide back home,” Founds said.
Founds is now a social worker focused on veterans and says building social communities specifically for them remains critical for mental health. Veterans are best at breaking down stigmas and stereotypes for other veterans.
“The more we connect people to people, the better outcomes we have,” the Tulsa-based case manager said.
But Oklahoma is struggling. The numbers are as breathtaking as they are grim.
The veteran suicide rate in the state is 56.9 veterans per 100,000. That number stands out no matter the category of comparison:
National veteran suicide rate: 35.2
Southern region (17 states) veteran suicide rate: 36
Southern region general population suicide rate: 29.2
Oklahoma general population suicide rate: 27.8
National general population suicide rate: 18
Oklahoma ranks third nationally in the veteran suicide rate behind Nevada (61.2) and Utah (59.5).
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Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
• Cheat sheet: Hern decision draws 9 to Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District GOP primary (NonDoc)
• Oklahoma City ranks among top two big cities to live in for second straight year (Fox 25)
• Federal grants aim to boost Indian Country energy production in Oklahoma, beyond (Tulsa Flyer)
• New faces in the neigh-borhood: Tulsa Police Department relaunches horse unit (Tulsa Flyer)
• Patty Gasso still proud of OU softball's 2026 achievements despite no trip to WCWS (Tulsa World)*
• Thunder clunker in Game 4 vs Spurs doesn't change homecourt advantage OKC got back (The Oklahoman)*
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