Wounded Warrior Project, VA, and DoD Go Live to Raise Suicide Awareness

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 116,000 people have already viewed part of a recent Facebook Live event to raise awareness about veteran suicide. Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) produced "Suicide Awareness: What You Should Know" in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD).

During the hour-long broadcast, presenters focused on stigma, risk factors, available resources, and collaboration. Viewers also heard from veterans who took the strong step to get help while in crisis.

"No one told me there may be these types of triggers – insomnia, anxiety, difficulty connecting," said Taniki Richard, Marine Corps veteran. "I needed a space to talk, and that is where Wounded Warrior Project came in."

"The VA does good stuff," Air Force veteran Bill Thomas said. "Wounded Warrior Project picks up where they cannot."

The broadcast coincided with Suicide Prevention Month, presenting an important message for veterans: "you are not alone."

"There is help – Wounded Warrior Project, the VA, and other services available for everyone," Bill said.

During the live event, WWP responded to hundreds of comments and questions to connect veterans and family members with lifesaving resources.

"There is help out there that everyone should know about," said Mike Richardson, WWP vice president for mental health and independence services. "One suicide is too many; 20 per day is a crisis that cannot continue."

It is estimated 500,000 of today's generation of wounded warriors live with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The challenges of PTSD, along with the depression or survivor's guilt other veterans may face, proves too much for some warriors. Service members in crisis can call the Crisis Line at 800-273-8255; press 1.

No one organization can reach every veteran. That is why organizations like WWP, VA, and DoD must work together to increase the effectiveness of the programs they offer.

WWP connects warriors with one another, their families, and communities. It serves warriors through lifesaving programs and services targeting mental and physical health, career and benefits counseling, and support for the most severely wounded. And WWP empowers warriors to mentor other veterans and live life on their terms.

See the full Facebook Live at http://bit.ly/2yI9Dt3.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project