PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is encouraging people to light candles for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 at 8 p.m.
The yearly observance is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and is used to show reverence for those who have died by suicide.
Around 47,000 people die by suicide every year in the United States alone.
And military veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than individuals who never served.
For women with military backgrounds, that number surges to 2.2 times higher.
Pennsylvania has a veteran population of just under 800,000, which is the fourth-highest in the nation.
Every day there are almost 17 veterans that die by suicide.
“The DMVA and our dedicated partners work together every day to reduce the number of veteran suicides to zero,” said Rick Hamp, special assistant to the deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs. “Lighting a candle on World Suicide Prevention Day is not just a heartfelt gesture, it allows a conversation to begin and hopefully spreads an important message that we all care about those lost to suicide, survivors of suicide and those considering suicide. Anyone can help prevent veteran suicide.”
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