Fayetteville VA annual suicide prevention event

For nearly five hours, the Manna Student Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, was the location for an annual Suicide Prevention event.

Hold On To Hope brings VA, DoD and community organizations together with hundreds of Veterans, service members, families, friends and health care professionals. The focus was simple… share the complexities of suicide.

“The event was meant to normalize feelings of grief, loss and pain associated with difficult life circumstances and by offering support and hope that a positive future is always part of the solution,” said Kendra Danzer, suicide prevention community engagement and partnership coordinator.

Discussion panel participants, each touched by thoughts of suicide or loss from suicide, shared their stories with the nearly 200 guests.

Suicide impact of those left behind

Life changed for Army Veteran Kim Franco with a suicidal text message she received from her younger brother. She revisited that moment with the audience and also how that experience led her to create the nonprofit organization One Common Bond, where she provides grief support to those affected by sudden and tragic loss.

Fayetteville VA Police Chief Stephen Oliver’s keynote speech weaved a tale of personal and professional triumph over the limitations one adult placed on him in childhood. While a member of the panel, Oliver told an even more personal story about a suicide that touched his life.

According to Danzer, no matter your income, gender, profession or stage in life, suicide has no rules, no limits or no guidelines, and we all can face difficult times. “We are all human and sometimes we need others in our circles, in our communities, to keep us connected to hope and purpose,” Danzer said.

To better address the need for suicide prevention education and support, a local community organization was formed. Known as The LINK, the group includes VA, DoD, Veterans Bridge Home, Fayetteville Vet Center and the Steven A. Cohen military family clinic. The group hosts outreach events to connect with the military and Veteran communities and provide awareness and resources.

“We know we cannot do this alone so we need our community to support this effort and collaborate across all organizations and agencies at every level,” said Danzler.

You’re not alone, there’s help

If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free and available 24/7.

• Call 988 and select 1.
• Text 838255.
• Start a confidential chat.
• If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

You can also take these actions if you are in crisis:

• Call 911.
• Go to the nearest emergency room.
• Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. You do not have to be enrolled in VA health care.