Veterans Journal: Peer Support Emphasized in Suicide Prevention
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and efforts by the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs continue intensively this month and for the entire year to combat suicide among service members and veterans. Suicide is currently the 10th-leading cause of death in America, and the second- and third-leading causes of death among young adults, according to the Defense Department.
Pentagon officials emphasize the importance of the Power of 1 peer support. The Power of 1 campaign is based on the belief that one person has the power to teach resilience, recognize warning signs, intervene, chat or make a call to save another person from taking his or her own life.
If you are depressed or considering suicide, reach out to a person who can help you and do not be afraid because that one conversation can save your life. Asking for help when you need it takes courage and strength.
Individuals seeking help should be embraced and not avoided or stigmatized. Whether you are a service member, a veteran or a friend or family member of someone who is, you have the power to make a difference. It only takes one person to save a life.
Warning signs of suicide include talking about suicide, making plans, stockpiling medications and withdrawing from people and activities that were previously enjoyable. Persons at risk could also be going through a significant loss, relationship issue, financial problems, drug and/or alcohol problems or legal or punishment issues.
Resources include chaplains and clergy, military family life consultants, mental health clinics, peers, community support organizations, Vets4Warriors and the Military Crisis Line.
When people call the Military Crisis Line at (800) 273-8255 and press 1, they can speak to a confidential peer responder specifically trained to deal with any crisis the service member, veteran or family member may be facing. People can also reach it via an online chat or text message or online at www.militarycrisisline.net. The service is free and confidential, and trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Vets4Warriors is also a free and confidential for service members, their family members, veterans and Defense Department civilians. It can be reached 24/7 at (855) 838-8255 or online at vets4warriors.com.x
Veterans Day
event in Portsmouth
The town of Portsmouth will honor all veterans with a focus on Vietnam-era veterans at this years Veterans Day ceremony. Approximately 200 Vietnam-era veterans have been identified in the Portsmouth geographical area, and all of them are encouraged to participate in the special welcome home ceremony on Nov. 11.
Great effort has been made through Project Blue Star, VFW Post 5390 and American Legion Post 18 and their auxiliaries to identify living Vietnam-era veterans who are residents of Portsmouth or current members of a Portsmouth-based veterans service organization. They request the publics assistance in identifying anyone they may have missed. If you or members of your family qualify, please send an email to Carolyn Evans-Carbery at [email protected] or call (401) 683-9375.
Vietnam veterans who served honorably between July 1, 1958, and May 7, 1975, whether in-country or not, will be recognized at Portsmouth High School with a proclamation, certificate and custom-designed ball cap made by National Embroidery of Portsmouth, whose owner, Dale Wood, is a Vietnam veteran.
The keynote speaker will be Mackubin Thomas Owens, a Marine infantry Vietnam veteran who is a professor of national security affairs at the Newport Naval War College and editor of Orbis, the quarterly journal of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
The ceremony will feature a flag line, courtesy of the R.I. Patriot Guard Riders, music of the 1960s by local musician Ellyn Fleming and individual recognition of local Vietnam-era veterans. Attendees will gather later at the Sisson Memorial adjacent to the baseball field for a wreath laying. Middletown artist Paula Visnoskis commissioned painting featuring a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran welcoming home a current U.S. Army Afghanistan veteran will be on display. For more information call (401) 556-5940.
Send veterans meeting and news items to George W. Reilly at [email protected].
Meetings
American Legion: Department executive committee, 7 p.m. collation and 8 p.m. meeting Monday, East Greenwich Post 15, 1016 Main St.; Armstrong-Gladding Post and Unit 69, 7 p.m. Wednesday, 2 Salem St., Providence; Smithfields Balfour-Cole Post 64, 7 p.m. Wednesday, 170 Pleasant View Ave.; Merrill Slate Post 36 Block Island, 5:15 p.m. social hour and 6 p.m. meeting Thursday, Legion Hall, West Side Road, and all veterans and active military visiting the island are welcome.
Sampson Air Force Base Vets Association Rhode Island Squadron, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Twin Oaks Restaurant Billys Room, 100 Sabra St., Cranston, open to all Air Force veterans.
Veterans of Foreign Wars: Tabor-Franchi Post, 5:30 p.m. free barbecue (family invited) and 7 p.m. members meeting Tuesday, 170 Randall St., Cranston, and call Denise with any questions at (401) 286-5089; Lymansville Memorial Post 10011, 1 p.m. steak fry (for tickets, call 401-353-9834) Saturday, 354 Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence.
Italian-American War Veterans and Auxiliary Department units, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Rosario Society Hall, 17 Rosario Dr., Providence.
43d Infantry Winged Victory Division Veterans Association, 1 p.m. Saturday, The Arsenal, 176 Benefit St., Providence.
Tags: Veterans News
