Marion VA hosts annual VA Suicide Prevention Summit
MARION, Ill. (KBSI) – More than 100 US citizen’s commit suicide each day according to veteran’s resource statistics. In hopes of lowering this number an event focusing on suicide prevention was held in Marion today in hopes of connecting veterans, their families and community members to resources and vital information.
September is national suicide prevention month, which makes it the perfect time for the VA Suicide Prevention Summit that was held at the Pavilion today in Marion, Illinois.
This event aims to connect veterans, families and community members to resources.
Donnie Houghland is the Department Commander of the DAV(Department of Illinois Disabled American Veterans) but he’s also a veteran himself. He’s dedicated much of his life to helping other veterans like himself.
Houghland attended the summit to not only connect veterans to DAV resources but to hear about resources himself.
“Part of the reason that we have veterans that are committing suicide is that they lose that connectiveness. We had it while we were in the service. We are our brother’s keeper. We work hand in hand” says Houghland.
community resources such as Arrowleaf, Cornerstone and more provided information to veterans and community members.
Discussion sessions were held covering topics like behavioral health services, high risk flags, safety planning and 988 calls.
Zachary Sage is the Executive Director of the Marion VA Healthcare system, and he says he hopes the summit helps others to save lives.
“This is not only a veteran’s issue” says Sage. “VA believes that this is a public health issue and so we think that when we share a lot of the great work that we’ve done with our community partners, there’s a great chance that when a veteran maybe that doesn’t have a relationship with VA, interacts with their organization, that organization can be in a position to help that veteran and maybe get them to the resources with VA.”
According to veteran suicide statistics an average 131 people in the US die by suicide per day, and around 17 to 22 of those people are veterans.
Sage says he hopes anyone who attends the summit leaves with a little more knowledge on veteran and suicide prevention that could one day help them save a life.
“Our suicide prevention summit is for any organization, any group that interacts with veterans and the goal would be that when they interact with veterans, even if that’s not their primary mission, they would understand what to do if they come across a veteran in crisis” says Sage.
The Marion VA says Suicide prevention remains the VA’s #1 clinical priority and they’re crucial role in sharing efforts and services regarding this mission. Ensuring community partners are aware of and have access to VA support is essential in the ongoing struggle to reduce all suicide.
Marion VA Medical Center | VA Marion Health Care | Veterans Affairs
For a list of other VA events coming up this week:
