Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program Scholars talk mental health and suicide prevention
Impacting change and reducing suicide in the military and veteran communities has been my goal as a licensed clinical social worker. Every time we lose anyone to suicide, hundreds of others are impacted, and risk increases for many in that person’s life, including kids. Through years of working with service members, veterans, and their families in crisis, I have hope as I know people can survive.
Evidence-based treatments and recovery programs can work. We can take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and my mission is to make sure that everyone knows this, including service members, veterans, their family members, and caregivers. Today, everyone can ask themselves important questions:
Do I need any help with my mental wellness? Do my buddies and loved ones need any help? Don’t wait; reach out.
Have I talked to my kids about what they can do if they ever have thoughts about self-harm, hopelessness, or pain?
Do I promote sobriety and recovery? Do I need to find support for substance use or know someone who does?
Where do I securely store my firearms? Is the ammunition separately and securely stored? Where can I store out of my home securely to protect myself and family from suicide?
Have I saved the new national crisis line in my phone and shared it with others? Dial 988 and press 1 for veterans.
Why do you do this work?
Watching someone work through a crisis and find the miracle of recovery is powerful. People in suicidal crisis don’t want to die; they want the pain they are experiencing to end. They don’t want to put their kids, families, and buddies at risk. Once I experienced repeatedly walking with or talking with someone through their crisis, I knew that was my calling. Losing someone at a young age myself to firearm suicide always left me with motivation to do more. My values are human values — the same values that led my family to have a second chance thanks to American service members who liberated my grandfather and his brother from the depths of evil in the Holocaust. The least I can do is dedicate my life to be of service to my family and to others. Every day I have time to spiritually reflect and ask myself what more I can do. I know our entire country can do more to save lives.