WASHINGTON STATE – September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs is urging everyone to take part in their ‘Speak Up, Save Lives’ campaign.
The department aims to break the silence, reduce stigma and offer hope to service members, veterans and their families.
In 2024, 212 veterans in Washington died by suicide, highlighting the urgent need to connect those struggling with the support they deserve.
Jane Hughes, co-founder of Gold Star Families of Washington, emphasized the collective responsibility in suicide prevention. “Everyone has a role in suicide prevention,” she said.
To assist in this mission, the Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free suicide prevention toolkits and training sessions.
These resources are available both online and in-person to help anyone learn how to recognize the signs and respond with care.
For those in crisis, help is readily available. Calling 988 and pressing 1 connects individuals to the Veterans Crisis Line.
