Resources

Other resources:
NAMI Resources on Suicide
NAMI has compiled a number of general resources on suicide.
National Call Center for Homeless Vets
877 4AID-VET (424-3838))
National Resource Directory
This online partnership for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans also provides resources for their families and supporters.
Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project sponsors programs to honor and empower wounded warriors.
Real Warriors Campaign
These anti-stigma initiatives and programs promote resilience and recovery for veterans, service members and their families.
National Veterans Foundation 
This resource center provides benefits assistance and PTSD information.
(888) 777-4443
Give An Hour
These free mental health services are for those service members and their families affected by Iraq and Afghanistan.
Returning Veterans Project
Free counseling and other health services are available for veterans and their families.
Operation Promise for Service Members
This counseling hotline is available for veterans 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(866) VETS-NJ4
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
The National Call Center provides counseling, employment and training assistance for veterans.
(877) 527-8387
Vet2Vet Veterans Crisis Hotline
This warmline provides peer-to-peer support and a resource database.
(877) VET2VET (838-2838)
Branch-specific Resources
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Suicide Prevention Overview
Read this list of suicide warning signs and other crisis resources.
Air Force Suicide Prevention Program
These air force personnel booklets and training manuals are targeted at suicide prevention.
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Suicide Materials
Posters, brochures and other materials for service members are available for download. 
Coast Guard Suicide Awareness Program
These resources are tailored for Coast Guard personnel.
(800) 222-0364
Marine Corps Community Services Suicide Prevention Program
The Marine Corps provides these brochures and resources for veterans, families and health professionals,
(800) 273-8255 (TALK)
Navy Suicide Prevention Program
The Navy has compiled a list of posters and educational resources.
News and Media
Civilian Soldiers' Suicide Rate Alarming
National Guard soldiers who are not on active duty killed themselves in 2010 at nearly twice the rate of 2009.
Navy Personnel Command: Sailors Unite for Suicide Prevention
The Navy rolled out a new suicide prevention poster that encourages sailors in distress to reach out for help and urges shipmates to look out for each other.
SAMHSA: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network Answers Two Millionth Call 
Through a partnership between SAMSHA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the lifeline linked up the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline to provide around the clock access to specialized crisis counseling for veterans and families.
Huffington Post: PBS’s “This Emotional Life”
This article discusses the “This Emotional Life” episode on remembering military suicides.

GUANTANAMO BAY

   Guantánamo Bay has been seeped in controversy for the greater part of the century. Located on the southeastern tip of Cuba, it is the only U.S base located in a communist country. The 45-square-mile site was originally used as a coaling station for U.S. Navy ships, under a lease drawn up in 1903. U.S. possession of Guantánamo was reaffirmed under former Cuban president Batista in 1934 with a provision that the lease could not be terminated without mutual consent — a provision that was challenged to no avail by Fidel Castro following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The denial of his request to return the land to Cuba by President Eisenhower paved the way for escalated tensions between the two countries; Fidel later called it "a knife stuck in the heart of Cuba's dignity and sovereignty."

Despite Cuban disdain for the base, it received some international praise and recognition in the early 1990s when it became a vital haven for Haitian refugees fleeing the violent coup that ravaged their country. However, these glory days have been outshone by its current role as a detention center. Since early 2002, the beginning of the U.S.-led War on Terror, the base has been used to house those suspected of terrorist activity or of having ties to al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Respecting Our Traveling Heros

Courtesy of Johnny Jet 2013--Fallen soldier honored by airline passengers

The picture above depicts a fallen soldier being truly honored by not just the airline but the crew and passengers as well.  This should be expected each and every time our heroes come home.

It may remind some of you of the story from the United Flight in 2012 about a man who was tickled to be sitting in first class after saving all of his points and gave it up when he saw a soldier board the plane headed for his aisle seat in the back of the plane.  Turns out the soldier's main destination was Afghanistan and he had just kissed his family good-bye. It may seem like a small thing to switch seats with a guy, but it was a thank-you.  This sort of gratitude and respect needs to happen with much more frequency.

On this site I am going to attempt to give veterans resources for returning home and reuniting with life in the states and helping you find folks like the fellow above.  Trust me.  There are a lot of us out there with our hands out to shake yours.  God Bless.