New Data Spotlights Mental Health Issues Among North Dakota Veterans

FARGO (KVRR) – According to the newly-published North Dakota Military Data Book, 101 veterans sought services from the Veterans’ Justice Outreach program in 2023—the latest figures available. 74 percent of those veterans reported mental health issues and 59 percent had problems with substance abuse.

PTSD and depression made up the vast majority of the cases. 41 percent of the veterans had an alcohol problem. Others reported problems with cannabis, opioids, and other substances.

There were approximately 136 veteran suicides in the state between 2019 and 2024. Hispanic veterans in North Dakota have a suicide rate more than three times higher than White veterans.

“There’s this persona that we’re GI Joes and you know we’re cookie cutters, but we’re actually you know people too and we have feelings and you know again it’s hard to reach deep and find that and ask for help,” said Christopher Deery, Cass County Veterans Service Officer.

Deery served in Iraq for two years, and while he currently works for the Cass County Veteran Service, he still faces his own challenges.

“You come back home and you know life went on for other people. I had some issues with my mental health, depression, anxiety, and some drinking. And you have to go in and talk about those things. Yes, it’s hard but also you have to look in the mirror and that’s kind of what I did and you have to stand up for yourself,” said Deery.

According to the report, male veterans have double the rate of suicides of female veterans. Dan Hudson, founder of Operation Check Six, says he never thought about the ethnicity or gender of a person but that they were a soldier.

“Just reaccumulating back to society in general, it’s hard and there has been this stigma for so long. And I think we’ve done a pretty good job of awareness and we need to keep awareness because it’s very important, but action,” said Dan Hudson, Founder of Operation Check Six.

An ND Cares spokesperson says they have been working on various projects to help veterans and aid in training providers.