September marks National Suicide Awareness Month. While this is an issue that plagues many different groups of people, I want to highlight the suicide rate among some of our most deserving, yet most under-served people. The nation’s service members and veterans. Twenty-two veterans or service members kill themselves a day. 22. A. DAY. One suicide is one too many. Our service members and veterans deserve so much more than what they are getting in terms of mental health help. Far too many are falling through the cracks. This month we strive to shed light on the epidemic of suicides, but also show solidarity and prove that there is ALWAYS someone here to listen.
I invite and challenge our Awaken the North members and council to a 22-a-day challenge. We have a list of things you can do to participate, based on your physical ability. We do not want to exclude a single member. We will have a log sheet so that you can track your participation. The CoMS will be doing a drawing at the end of the month of all participants. The winner will receive a t-shirt and a bracelet from the Til Valhalla Project.
22 push-ups a day.
22 sit-ups
2.2-mile walk or jog each day.
1-mile walk or jog for 22 days.
22 minutes of meditation
2.2 minutes of focused breathing.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-KP80Uz_InYpCy5KYtJ6Auqowhy-N74g9EfOXMft0JQ/edit?pli=1#gid=0
Hey guys. It’s your Chancellor of Military Services. This project is something important to me. I was almost one of the 22 a day. Several times, one of which was within the last six months. I never reached out for help, and I struggled quietly and alone. No one here should ever have to ever feel that they have to struggle alone. I think I can speak for AtN’s council when I say we have your six. Please come to any one of us if you need anything, and we will do our level best to get you the resources you need.
-Jay
22 suicides per day. That is the sobering statistics that service members are faced with these days. It’s an unfortunate reality that we all probably know someone who has fallen victim to this particular circumstance. I had the misfortune a few years back to lose a fellow service member to suicide. He never displayed any of the stereotypical signs or symptoms leading up to the event.
We always want to look out for folks the best we can, but sometimes it isn’t enough. We need to realize that we can reach out to each other. One thing that connects all military members, past and present, is our service. We can always find common ground when interacting with other military folks whether they are our age, fresh enlistees, or a wisened WWII vet. We will all happily lend an ear to a sibling in service, when called upon. So, if you are feeling like you might be getting to that point, reach out. Phone a friend. Send a private message. Call a hotline. SOMETHING. Please, don’t be a part of this heartbreaking statistic. 22 a day is 22 too many.
-Flak
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