NEED JUSTIFICATION 

• Women and Children are the fastest growing population of veterans living homeless lives.

• There are currently 1.9 million women veterans and growing, 1.5m under age 65.

• Veteran suicide rate remains steady at 20 per day, 600+ every month, 7,200 lives lost each year.

• Only 30% of the 20 daily vet suicides, 180 of 600+ monthly, are IN the VA system of care. Translation: 70% of the veteran suicide epidemic is OUTSIDE of the VA system, not receiving help.

• Women veterans are 250% more likely to commit suicide than their non-military sisters.

• A SAMHSA study revealed that only 50% of returning vets who need mental health treatment will receive VA services. Also of those returning, up to 30% may have 2 or more mental health diagnosis.

• 1 of 4 women serving in our military (25%) have experienced rape or serious sexual assault, resulting in 10% of women being diagnosed with military sexual trauma (MST). Non-government studies reflect military sexual assault rates as high as 80% for women.

• A recent VA study concludes women are much more likely than men to experience PTSD.

• Other than the VA, comprehensive mental health programs for women are VERY scarce to none. This results in self-treatment as the only viable, accessible pathway to some relief of symptoms.

• Whispering Oaks Ranch provides a mechanism for implementation of the objectives, goals and recommendations for these federal agency and interagency taskforce working groups: