Hello everyone and welcome to a new quarter in our reporting year. I want to talk about suicide prevention. We generally worry about our Veterans when it comes to this, but it really applies to all of us. We can make a difference to one person with a little bit of our time or kindness. Be the light for even one person in your life. We all need that someone to do that for us.
I would like to highlight a local Veteran Organization that is working to do just that by getting Veterans and their families or friends out into Nature. Veterans Exploration Therapy was founded by VFW Post 1 member Deke Letson when he needed an outlet for some of the darkness he was experiencing. I recently joined them on a couple of adventures, the first was cross country skiing up at Echo Lake back in April of this year. The other was a paint and sip at their working space on 6Th and Santa Fe. You can see their upcoming events on their website and please bring your family to join you in the adventure. Veterans Exploration Therapy (vetxtherapy.org)
As a reminder please note The Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available. There is also the new number 988. Also available are many resources to assist someone with mental health. Together let’s change the stigma surrounding mental health!
I am excited to meet more people and learn in Grand Junction later this month. Please plan to attend.
Christina (Tina) Lilly
Veterans and Family Support Chairman