Rally Point Campaign gives veterans a new mission | Health

La Frontera Arizona, through a grant from the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and in partnership with Arizona Coalition for Military Families, has launched a campaign to win “the war at home” – the terrible toll that drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress, hopelessness, and even suicide, takes on returning heroes and service members.

Rally Point Arizona is a unique campaign connecting veterans with veterans who have been in their shoes and know the struggles they are facing transitioning into civilian life. The call-to-action of Rally Point Arizona is to fulfill the nation’s promise to honor the men and women in uniform and support them when they come home.

Veterans who are experiencing difficulty with relationship issues, stress, employment, housing or general loss and feelings of hopelessness are encouraged to call the Rally Point Hotline toll free at 1-855-Rally4U (1-855-725-5948) to speak to a fellow veteran who can help them with resources, referrals and camaraderie.

At www.RallyPointAZ.org, veterans and their families can also get information about the warning signs of suicide and learn how they can help a loved one during this difficult time.

Dan Ranieri, PhD, President and CEO of La Frontera Arizona stated in a recent news release, “Each day we lose more than a dozen unsung heroes to suicide. Sadly, nearly 20 percent of all suicides in our nation involve individuals who have served our country honorably in the military services. It will take a community-wide effort to turn the tide on this growing epidemic.” Ranieri added, “Our veterans face the same issues many in our community face, including, unemployment, relationship and family issues, depression and stress. Our goal is to connect veterans with other veterans who have shared the unique experience of serving in a combat zone so they understand that they’re not alone, that someone understands their perspective, and that there really is hope.”

Ranieri concluded, “Our nation is great because of the men and women who serve in our armed forces. These men and women successfully completed their mission and now our mission as a community is to help them make the transition and settle into a normal life at home with their family and friends. La Frontera Arizona is honored to be a partner. We encourage everyone to reach out and check in and become an ally in fighting an epidemic that is stealing so many in our community.”

Statistics on veteran suicide:

• 4,486 US troops have died in Iraq since 2001

• 1,950 have died in Afghanistan since 2001

• 2,676 have died by suicide since 2001

• 80 – number of minutes a suicide occurs among all veterans, active and inactive. (Center for a New

American Security)

• 20 – Percentage of all suicides involve veterans

• 10 – Percentage total of US population that are veterans of the armed services

• 1 – number of active duty veterans that die by suicide in the first six months of 2012. The 154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of the year far outdistance the U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan.

• The current rate of suicide for members of the armed services is the highest since statistics on the subject have been reported.