Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released results of the largest and most comprehensive analysis of Veteran suicide ever conducted. More than 55 million Veterans’ records were reviewed from 1979 to 2014 from every state in the nation. This major undertaking has advanced the Department’s knowledge from the previous report conducted in 2012. Compared to the data from the 2012 report, which estimated the number of Veteran deaths by suicide to be 22 per day, the current analysis indicates that in 2014, an average of 20 Veterans a day died from suicide. Six of the 20 were users of VA services. This information is important as it shows that Veterans who actively engage in services provided by VA are less likely to commit suicide than those who are not. The full report is available here: www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/2016suicidedatareport.pdf

Regardless of the numbers or rates, one Veteran suicide is one too many. The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, along with VA facilities all across the country, continues to spread the word that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. We are very committed to our suicide prevention efforts. In addition to the large number of mental health professionals the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System employs, we have a suicide prevention team dedicated to providing ongoing staff training, facilitating prompt delivery of care and responsiveness, and monitoring Veterans identified at high risk of suicide. We also have effective treatments that mitigate this risk. Effective treatments include both evidence-based psychotherapies and biomedical treatments that help patients prone to self-harm as a result of a mental health diagnosis.

Another important resource for Veterans is the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 press 1). Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net, or send a text message to 838255 to receive at no cost, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered more than 2.3 million calls and made more than 60,000 lifesaving rescues across the country. In 2015 alone, more than 400 rescues occurred across the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System through our collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. When we are notified that a Veteran either directly or indirectly implies that he or she intends to commit suicide or inflict self-harm, we initiate a health and welfare check through local law enforcement and emergency medical services if appropriate. A health and welfare check is local police and other first responders visiting a Veteran’s home to ensure he or she is safe. First responders will intervene if necessary and also ensure the Veteran receives appropriate care.

Veteran suicide touches everyone – families, friends, those of us at VA, community first responders, and our communities. We urge our community partners, family members, friends and others to help Veterans connect to VA health care services. If you know a Veteran who needs our help, please help us help them by connecting them with us by letting them know that help is available 24/7. Whether through routine mental health appointments, visits to the emergency department, or telephone care through the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 press 1), we do our very best to address any and all mental health needs, urgent and routine. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to the health and well-being of America’s Veterans.

Sincerely, Suzanne M. Klinker Director, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

About the Author Suzanne M. Klinker was appointed as the Director of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in May 2012. With dedication to the organization’s I CARE values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence, she oversees health care delivery for the entire organization which includes one large medical center, eight outpatient clinics and 4,100 employees. In 2015, the healthcare system treated more than 108,000 Veterans and completed 1.4 million appointments.

An open invitation from our friend Father Bob Swick:

The Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza at Crest Lake Park, Clearwater is now a reality and the site for all future Memorial Day and Veterans Day Tributes. This Veterans Day Celebration, scheduled for November 12^th, Saturday, will be the first since the opening of FVM Plaza. It will be a stellar occasion, as it should be, guaranteed in part, with your participation.

This is a call for you to help make this a truly memorial occasion. It’s a call out with a narrow response window; the 100 day countdown to Celebration begins on August first.

Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance will orchestrate the event and do much of the “heavy lifting”, just like it has these past twelve years. But it can’t be done alone; we need community support.

Many ideas are in the works but before anything crystallizes, we want to call one (1) meeting to formalize a program and action plan. This meeting will take place on 3 August, at 5:30 pm. The location will be at our Headquarters on Hercules Rd in the Clearwater Air Park, between Drew and Sunset Point Roads.

Please email response.

_ I will attend                                                 _ I can’t attend but include me in as a volunteer

_ Pick one or more categories of interest:

_Publicity                   _Program Development                  _CAP & JROTC Participations

_ Military/Vet Participation              _ Utility Outfield Position

_Dignitary Outreach

In partnership,

Rev. Fr. Robert “Bob” Swick

Chairman & President

rbsemperfi@gmail.com

What: As a Veteran, you have leadership skills employers are looking for! Are you interested in learning how you can utilize your military experience and transition into the exciting world of Project Management? If so, come join us!

Where: EpiCenter at St. Petersburg College

13805 58^th St N, Clearwater, FL 33760

When: Wednesday, Oct 19^th from 6pm- 8pm

How: Go to www.suncoastpmi.org to register for the workshop

We have limited seating, so please ensure to register soon to reserve your seat!! Food will be provided.

Workforce Institute to be offering two UAS courses (Drone classes) during the month of August here at the Epicenter.

• 2 day UAS (Drone) Maintenance and Repair Course on 16-17 August from 6-9pm
• 5 day UAS Remote Pilot Certificate Prep on 22-26 August from 4-8pm

Those interested in attending can register using the link below.

https://spcollege.augusoft.net//index.cfm?method=ClassListing.ClassListingDisplay&int_category_id=6&int_sub_category_id=336&int_catalog_id

You once stood PROUD in your uniform. Stand PROUD once again, in the uniform of the PINELLAS COUNTY VETERANS COUNCIL HONOR GUARD.

The PCVC Honor Guard’s major activity is to provide “Military Honors” for our deceased Brothers and Sisters. We are available to our veteran’s families at no charge, to honor fallen loved ones, at memorial, remembrance, and funeral services. While grim, these events offer solace and closure to the families, and are extremely dignified and respectful while honoring our fallen comrades. We render a brief homily; fold and present the Flag; fire a Three Volley Salute; and play Taps. This service is very rewarding to us, knowing that we have served a fellow veteran in his or her final moment, while providing closure for the family.

 Our other major activity is “Presenting The Colors” for school graduations, civic clubs, the Tampa Bay Rays Baseball games, corporate events, and most anyone else that wants to start off their affair patriotically. We also march the Colors in local parades.

We are currently expanding our ranks, and are looking for Honorably Discharged vets, male or female, from any of our Military Services.

Time commitment is small. Most funerals require two hours, including driving and dressing time. “Presenting The Colors” usually lasts long enough for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, plus travel/dressing time. The Operations Officer emails the schedule, and the HG members return email saying which events they are available for. We have members that work full time, part time, or are “snow-birds”. Everyone fits the schedule into their life as they can. (If married, “honey-do’s” generally have priority.) We have a monthly meeting, normally lasting one hour. There are no dues, and the PCVC pays ALL* of the initial uniform cost, and all replacement costs. JOIN US !

For information, please call or email Commander Ed Lillich, @ 727-546-2246 / elillich@AOL.com, or Operations Officer Herb Karkheck @ 727-455-1134 / herbflight@tampabay.rr.com. *there is some fine print!