An effort from ‘Feherty’s Troops First Foundation’ aims to save veterans from themselves once they return home from battle.
‘Operation Warrior Call’ is a simple concept: one phone call, at least once a week to a service member. Co-founder Rick Kell said often times veterans lose touch or want to hide from their overseas experiences. Organizers say regular conversation can save lives, as trust is built with veterans who may not want to ask for help.
“You take the time to tell a story about him and you’re thinking about him. Why don’t you take the time to call him?” Kell asked. “How are we going to make this epidemic go away?”
See also: Troops First Foundation program aims to prevent veteran suicide
According to Veteran’s Affairs, 22 veterans commit suicide every day. For many, re-adjusting to civilian life while carrying the weight of war can be too much to handle. ‘Operation Warrior Call’ encourages veterans and civilians to share conversation, resources and help with those who might need it.
“This is simply a phone call. How is your buddy doing?” Kell said. “If we can address connectivity on a grand scale, we can improve the health of the force in general.”
Anyone interested in taking the pledge and getting involved can visit this link.
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