MADISON (WMSN) -- The number of war veterans committing suicide is on the rise. One report says eighteen veterans kill themselves every day.



According to a new government report, from 2005 -2007, the suicide rate of 18-29-year-old men leaving the military jumped 26 percent.



Of the 30,000 suicides in America each year, 20 percent are veterans.



Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Kenneth Black says agencies are working to do a better job understanding what leads to suicidal behavior.



"Multiple tours, kids are basically going out and spending a year somewhere, coming back for six months to a year, and going back again," Black said. "That's a tremendous impact on any individual."



If there's any bright spot in the report, it's that VA health programs seem to be working. Veterans who sought help were much less likely to take their lives than those who did not.



Secretary Black credits recent federal and state programs.



"They hired thousands of mental health professionals, and they've been able to rescue 6,000 veterans that presented themselves as potential suicide victims."



He says getting veterans to accept the help is half the battle.



"We know they're not going to come directly to us. We are actively reaching out to veterans so we can take them under our wing, so to speak."



Demobilizations can play a key role in identifying those at risk of suicide. The week-long briefing isn't just about paperwork.



Said Black, "Helping them to adjust to family life, community life, work."

Increase in suicide rate of vets