JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of veterans packed VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on Thursday to find resources available to them, especially for suicide prevention.
Alphonso Ricks, a 23-year United States Army veteran, served in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.
Ricks fought those who were trying to take his life and harm this country. But he said he came to the arena after he tried to end his life years ago.
“I attempted suicide twice in my life,” Ricks said. “I thank God that I am still here. I am here for a purpose. What I’m looking for here is to find and get more information and learn more about people that are in crisis like myself.”
Help is available for Ricks and so many others, and some of that help for veterans with mental and physical needs was available at the resource fair.
Among other resources discussed were financial and medical benefits, general wellness, and Veterans Affairs enrollment and eligibility.
Katherine Sperry, the suicide prevention supervisor with the Department of Veterans Affairs, said they want to focus on the positive outcomes they’re seeing.
“About 16.9-17.2 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States,” Sperry said. “We really want to focus on how many veterans lives we are saving, having events like this, and the support systems in place for our veterans. That is what helps save lives.”
Dr. George Shorter, the associate chief of staff for mental health with the North Florida and South Georgia Veterans Health System, said the assistance out there is not only needed, but people are taking the time to seek it out.
“Not only does this make a place where veterans can come and interface directly with these folks who provide the services, but it provides the service members an opportunity to talk with one another,” Shorter said. “Getting together in a real space.”
Ricks found additional help that he wanted and needed. He is also completing a 90-day drug, alcohol and suicide prevention program through Veterans Affairs that he started in August.
“It has helped me to find myself again,” Ricks said. “The man that I want to be. Come and get help. The VA has programs that can help and they have people who really care about you. They will help you to keep on pushing forward.”
There were just shy of 90 different organizations and resource providers at the fair.
If you know someone dealing with mental health issues, here are a list of resources:
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Text TALK: to 741741 (suicide)
- Text HOME: to 741741 (crisis)
- Children Home Society’s Family Support: Warm Line 1-888-733-6303 (chslistens.com)
- United Way: Dial 211 for 24-hour crisis intervention and suicide prevention
- The Vinson Foundation: Helping Families Coping with Suicide Loss (https://thevinsonfoundation.org/)
- Heretomorrow: Helpline in Neptune Beach available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- (904) 372-9087 (heretomorrow.org)
- LSF Health Systems: 24/7 ACCESS TO CARE LINE: (877) 229-9098 (https://www.lsfhealthsystems.org/)
- NAMI Jacksonville: Dial 904-323-4723 or email Helpline@namijax.org (https://www.namijax.org/)