LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – On National PTSD Awareness Day, the Lubbock community gathered to support veterans and first responders struggling with post-traumatic stress and suicidal thoughts.
The event, called the Ruck 4 Resilience, is an annual walk and run organized by the Lubbock VFW. More than 250 people signed up this year.
The Ruck 4 Resilience is a 2-mile or 5-mile walk or run in which participants wear a weighted backpack.
Lubbock VFW Commander Sarah Weede said she started the event after losing friends to suicide during her time on active duty.
“Being active duty, I lost quite a few friends to suicide due to post-traumatic stress — things that they didn’t go and ask help for that kept building up,” Weede said. “They unfortunately thought the only option was to take their life.”
Weede said she wanted to channel those losses into action.
“I wanted to start this event because suicides in the military, suicides outside of the military in the veteran community and the first responder community — they’re too high,” Weede said. “I mean, one is too high. So I wanted to see what we could do as a group locally in our community to raise awareness for PTSD and suicide prevention.”
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, between 6,300 and 6,500 U.S. military veterans die by suicide each year.
Weede said events like the Ruck 4 Resilience can reach people who may not think they need help.
“If we can start telling people that it’s okay to not be okay, it’s okay to ask for help — it’s actually a strength to ask for help rather than a weakness — maybe we can start saving some lives,” Weede said.
She also urged friends and family members to take action if they are concerned about someone.
“If you are a friend of someone who is contemplating suicide, don’t leave them,” Weede said. “Be brave enough to ask the question: ‘Are you thinking about hurting yourself?’ Because it’s a taboo subject, but sometimes they just need somebody to talk to.”
Weede said early intervention is key to preventing PTSD from worsening.
“Our veterans, our first responders — they see abnormal things on a day-to-day basis,” Weede said. “So you need to go get help once you start having that stress so it doesn’t turn into the disorder part. It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to not ask for help.”
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