Reaching out to Veterans during Suicide Prevention Month

Every suicide is a tragedy. No matter what the numbers or rates, even one suicide is one too many.  Every day, VA social workers across the country work hard to get the word out to Veterans, their friends and family members that suicide is everyone’s business and VA is here to help.  Kathy Molitor LCSW, a suicide prevention coordinator at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas, recently took a unique approach to informing the local community about suicide and how they can help.

Molitor was a featured guest on Houston Real Estate Radio, a popular weekly show on Houston’s News Radio 740 KTRH.  The show’s host, Shannon Register, the wife of a Veteran, dedicated an entire show to suicide prevention and how the public can help.

“I never thought I would be a guest on Houston Real Estate Radio, but it turned out to be a great way to reach out to the public and raise awareness during suicide prevention month,” Molitor said. “We’ve gotten dozens of calls from listeners since the show aired.”

Molitor has been a suicide prevention coordinator at the Houston VAMC for seven years and a social worker for 19 years. She was recently recognized at an employee town hall meeting for her “passion and incredible commitment to helping all Veterans, especially those in crisis.”