New York's suicide rate increased by 28.8% from 1999 to 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the state, the suicide rate for Veterans is said to be higher than the national suicide rate for the general population.

Despite the statistics, the suicide rate in the county decreased by 11%, according to the Erie County Suicide Coalition.

Efforts to assist veterans with mental health concerns are continuing in the county.

"That veteran could also be going through some PTSD, they could be going through some MST. That's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Military Sexual Trauma. Those are two huge stresses. Depending on the veteran, they may be going through both of them at the same time, which is not good for their mental health," said Josh Miller, Supportive Services for Veteran Families program manager. 

Some of the resources that veterans can access include Western New York Heroes, which gives financial assistance to those in need.  

Veterans One Stop has a variety of services and employment counselors to provide what managers describe as "a fully wrap-around service."  

The VA provides counseling for PTSD and MST.

Veterans in need can contact the crises hotline at 1-800-273-8255.