I Am The One
By Andrew Turner
On June 30th, 2014, we
gathered together; we stood in awe, in horror, in silence as we looked at 660
crosses in a field representing the incredible loss of veteran suicide in a
single month. We saw the statistic in a
new light. We shared the tragedy with
our community and tried to help people understand the epidemic that our veteran
population is facing. We also challenged
each other to make a change. We talked
about the impact saving one life could have, the ripple it would create, and the
tidal wave that would come with reducing 22 veteran suicides a day to 21 a
day. But most importantly we talked
about where the change will come from and who is responsible for creating that
change. I am the one responsible for
creating the change. You are the one
responsible for creating the change.
With September being National
Suicide Prevention Month, we have another opportunity to bring attention and
awareness to the 22 veteran suicides daily and continue a discussion on what we
can do to help change that number. This
month we will continue to bring you information on ways to fight PTSD and other
mental health issues impacting veterans.
We’ll list resources that veterans can use to get the help they need in
order to be healthy. And, we’ll share
our own stories of how we are the ones making a difference for veterans, and we’ll
ask you to share with us how you are the one making a difference for those
around you.
We want you to think about how
you would finish the statement, “I am the one…”, and share your
answer with us. Think about it in terms
of veteran suicide prevention. Maybe you
are the one who has the Veteran Crisis Line phone number stored in your phone
so it’s there when you need it, or when your friend needs it. Maybe you are the one who calls and writes your
representative to encourage them to support legislation that increases mental
health services for veterans. Maybe you
are the one who lost a battle buddy, and now you make a conscious effort to
call and text your surviving friends to make sure they are doing ok, and to let
them know you have their back if they need it.
Or, maybe you are the one who has struggled with thoughts of suicide,
but has fought back from the brink. We all have a story to tell.
I know how I finish the statement. Jamie and Laura both know how they finish it. And starting September 1st 2014, we’ll
be sharing ours with you and hoping you do the same with us.
Here’s how you can participate:
We’re going to share short video clips of us finishing the statement while
holding a sign that reads, “I am the one…” Simply hold up your sign, share your
statement, and then send us the link. We’ll post one each day during the month
of September. If you’re still not sure you understand what we’re looking for, just
follow our lead. Andrew, Jamie, and
Laura will have the first three days of the month covered.
This is just one way we can
continue to take ownership of the problem and embrace our responsibility for
being the change we wish to see. I
challenge you to accept the responsibility of being the change. I challenge you to be the one that helps
reduce the 22 a day. I challenge you to
find your ending to the statement, “I am the one…”, and share it with us.
#BeTheOne #IAmTheOne #22aDay #21>22
