Pa. House announces Veterans Suicide Prevention Awareness Day
Today is “Veterans Suicide Prevention Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania.
House Resolution 608, which was introduced by state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, passed unanimously Thursday. The resolution seeks to bring awareness to the men and woman across the state who have committed suicide following their years of service.
The resolution says that on average, 22 veterans a day commit suicide.
“Our nation’s veterans have served our country and we have an obligation to serve and support them. I want each and every veteran to know there are resources available to help them heal from the scars of war,” Bizzarro said in a press release. “The United States loses more than 8,000 veterans to suicide each year. That is more than the number of veterans who died in combat deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq combined. We have to work earnestly to make sure these men and women who have given our nation so much know there is no shame in seeking help and make it easy for vets and their families to reach out.”
On Thursday, Carbon County Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein outlined the resolution and urged veterans and their families to seek help if there are signs that a person is suicidal.
Warning signs, Nothstein read from the resolution, include thinking about hurting or killing themselves, looking for ways to die, talking about death or suicide, or self-destructive or risk-taking behavior.
If signs are there, veterans, family members or care providers should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 to speak with a veterans health administration provider. The call is free and confidential.
If the person would rather chat instead of make a phone call, an online chat service has also been set up at veteranscrisisline.net/chat; or via text at 838255.
