[August 26, 2014] Occasionally I run across a great organization that uses its expertise to help both military personnel and veterans. Today, I would like to introduce StopSoldierSuicide.org. Until recently, despite their wonderful work, I had not heard of them. Fortunately, there are people like those in this organization that really do help people. Stop Soldier Suicide is the first civilian not-for-profit organization specifically dedicated to preventing active duty and veteran suicide.
Their vision is: “We hope to realize a day when Soldiers and Veterans who are considering suicide can openly and without shame ask for and receive the help and support they need.” This is done through veterans and active duty service members helping other veterans and active duty members in their “greatest hour of need.”1 Of course, education is part of this process.
What we do know is that 22 veterans and 1 active duty troop is lost to suicide every day and that is only with 22 states reporting. The loss is even greater when that is considered. What can we do? Certainly people can donate. But it is the individual who is willing to step up and do the hard work, the long hours it takes to be available for our troops that is really where the core success will come from to prevent suicide.
I commend the organization and their members.
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[1] http://stopsoldiersuicide.org/about/