YPSILANTI, MI -- By Memorial Day, the nonprofit 22aday will have placed 660 crosses in front of the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center.
The crosses are meant to represent how many solders on average die by suicide each month. It’s just one of many demonstrations the group puts on throughout the year, hoping the visual spectacle raises awareness of the issue.
22aday is an organization that provides resources for at-risk veterans and family members. It’s the group’s goal to combat veteran suicide via legislative information and provide a sense of community for those who need help.
Informing people is important, said John Luker, a 22aday secretary.
“Even if veterans know how bad the problem is, they’re experiencing it themselves,” Luker said. “But the civilians are the ones who can do something about it.”
Names of veterans who have died because of suicide also will be written on each of the crosses, Luker said.
Volunteers like Wendy Hibbits will also be out to support servicemen and women. Hibbits said she believes there is hope for the problem to stop.
“There is not enough being done about this,” she said. “This should never happen. So many times these guys and gals they don’t think there is hope. They need to know that there is hope for them.”
22aday is accepting volunteers to help display the crosses. More information about the organization can be found here.
Washtenaw County has several resources available for those seeking mental health treatment and support. Anyone experiencing mental distress or thoughts of suicide can seek help from:
- The 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Military veterans press #1.
- The Ozone House, a 24-hour hotline for youth, at 734-662-2222.
- The 24-hour hotline at University of Michigan Psychiatric Emergency Services at 734-936-5900.
- The Washtenaw County Community Mental Health crisis team at 734-544-3050
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