Too many veterans die by suicide because they feel alone. Let’s change that.

One of the most publicized statistics around veteran suicide is that 22 veterans in the United States die by suicide each day. This statistic was first published in 2012. Since that time, the number of daily suicides among veterans is now closer to 17, but news articles, nonprofit organizations, and awareness events about suicide among veterans still focus on this initial number: run 22 miles, ruck with all your gear for 22 miles, do 22 push-ups, and more.

I have participated in these awareness events and each time find myself thinking: “Does this do anything concrete to prevent suicide among veterans?” I also think about my fellow veterans who died by suicide. What could I or anyone else have done to prevent it?

Read the full op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer >>

September 29, 2022 | The Inquirer featuring Pete Whitney