September is Suicide Awareness month

A recent study indicates the number of veteran and military suicides have dropped slightly because more people are seeking and getting the help they need. Several ways you can help continue the declining rate of veteran and military suicide are:

Obtain awareness materials from the Veterans Crisis Line website at http://www.veteranscrisisline.net  1-800-273-8255

Check with your local hospital to see if their Community Outreach Program includes a class on promoting suicide awareness.

Start a conversation with the person. Stay calm and let the person know that you want to help them.

Provide resources like the Veteran’s Crisis Help line! 1-800-273-8255

In my family, a nephew  unfortunately,  took his own life.  At the time, we did not see the signs. WHY? Because we didn’t know what to look for. It’s devastating to know we might have been able to help him change his life had we known the warning signs. Please educate yourself on the signs that are commonly displayed by a person contemplating suicide. :Hopelessness, feeling like there is no way out. Mood swings, anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness. Rage or anger. Participating in risky activities. Increasing alcohol or drug abuse. Withdrawing from family and friends. VFW Auxiliary 257 invites you to help keep the suicide numbers on the decline!