wheeling, w.va. – Although veteran suicide rates have decreased nationwide, the numbers are still far too high, according to West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance Cabinet Secretary Edward Diaz, who
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Kristen Christy poses with her husband Don in a 2005 photo. Don, an Air Force lieutenant colonel, died by suicide in 2008.
Kristen Christy is often called an expert on the issue of veterans suicide, but it s not by choice. Twelve years ago, her husband Don, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, died by suicide, shocking Kristen and their family. I had no idea, Kristen said. Suicide was not on my radar whatsoever.
In the years since, she has learned a lot not just the warning signs of suicide, which can vary from person to person - but how the ripple effect hits families and friends.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
Patrice Sullivan, whose boyfriend, a Marine, died from suicide, helps to remove 5,000 small U.S. flags representing suicides of active and veteran members of the military line the National Mall, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, in an action by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), in Washington.
Kristen Christy is often called a subject matter expert on the issue of veterans’ suicide, but it s not by choice. Twelve years ago, her husband Don, a Lt. Col. in the Air Force, died by suicide.
“I had no idea. Suicide was not on my radar whatsoever,” she said.
In the years since she has learned a lot and not just the warning signs, which can vary from person to person, but how the ripple effect hits families and friends.