Have you ever wondered why veterans commit suicide? Do you know a friend or family member who committed suicide – veteran or non-veteran? Chances are, you do. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention states that there are 123 suicides, on average, per day. An article by Military Times discussed that recent statistics by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) – 2016 data that was updated from 2014 – shows that 20 veterans, or active duty service members, commit suicide per day. Six of the 20 veterans were under VA Healthcare while 14 were not or were once under VA Healthcare.
Is the VA answering the call? Most veterans that our team has worked with or spoken to say no. Not only a “no”, but a resounding “Hell no!” So, what works for our veterans? What is the answer? Our team has worked with hundreds of veterans since its founding in 2016 by combat veterans. Our team has saved hundreds, 402 to be exact, of veterans from taking their lives. Veterans helping veterans. Veterans helping active duty members. Veterans helping spouses. Spouses helping spouses.
What’s our secret you ask? That’s a damn good question. It’s not a complicated answer. It’s simple. It’s called the Recovery Model (Veterans helping Veterans). A model researched by the VA and Stanford Medicine. And, the conclusion of every study. It works, in addition to the clinical model, to combat suicide amongst our veterans. It works so well that the VA uses this model. Our team of combat veterans are called Certified Peer Specialists, or STAX Specialists. It’s veterans helping veterans who are not employed by the VA. We are veterans who have been down that long, treacherous and unforgiving road of despair. A team of veterans ranging from Vietnam Army Rangers to Air Force Security Forces. Navy SEALs. Special Forces. POGs (People Other Than Grunts – a term in the military used for administrative jobs). We all have served, no matter the job. That’s what matters. Your service. Nothing more, nothing less.
One thing is clear in our method at STAX – we can all relate to each other. No matter the struggle or success. We are not the VA. “We have a U.S. Flag on our shirts with the words ‘STAX Solutions’ underneath the flag. It’s not the VA logo. It’s our logo. Created and made by veterans for veterans.” Sharpe says. Sharpe is an expert in suicide prevention in working with thousands of veterans through a non-profit he founded in 2009, Companions for Heroes. “Look, our team started this company to do two things. Give each other a purpose and help the entire family (spouse and kids). Without a purpose, we become lost and on the path to destruction.” Sharpe knows first-hand about suicide. He tried to take his own life in 2002, twice, with a .45 pistol after finishing off a handle of Jack Daniels, but his rescue dog saved his life both times.
How is the VA taking this innovative solution on? Well, our team at STAX has tried numerous times to partner and work with the VA Central Office, located in Washington, D.C. The VA Central Office has continued to ignore calls by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs) and STAX. Why? We have no idea. Perhaps you could answer that question for us. But, as the VA ignores our calls, our team continues to save more veterans and their family members. Instead of the VA reporting to Congress that veteran suicides have doubled in two years. In partnership with STAX, the VA could report that they have positive numbers of saving veterans’ lives.
In closing, one theme is clear that our team has learned in the last two years from the hundreds of veterans we have saved and that is, we [veterans] need a purpose. “I wish I had STAX when I got out of the Army. If we [veterans] had a place to go to everyday to talk to other veterans about the fuc***-up thoughts we have in our heads constantly, it would have saved me and my family years ago. Thanks to STAX, my family and my life was saved! We don’t want to go somewhere where there is booze and everyone is telling war stories. We just need a place to go visit on a daily basis to talk. To be listened to. Going to a place where the VA is not. Why? Because, I just do not get the level of help and understanding at the VA like I have at STAX. When you speak to a veteran who’s not wearing a VA logo on their shirt, you’re going to get my full story – getting down to the real issues. 100 percent. But, when I’m at the VA, I don’t share everything. None of us [veterans] do. Never will. At STAX, we share everything. It would be awesome if I could go to the VA for my appointments and go to STAX for my mental health and the VA pay for it. Only $80 per session. It’s not much to some. But, to most of us [veterans], it’s a lot. Especially, when you’re living off of your VA disability. But, that $80 has saved my life and that’s worth it to me. Only one percent of the U.S. Population has served their country. It’s not a lot of us. Are we not worth it as a small percentage who have served? How much is a veteran’s life worth to you?” says Teddy Allen, a graduate of STAX’s 12-week program.
If you know of an active duty member, veteran or spouse in need of help. Please have them reach out to [email protected], or call (912) 222-3014.