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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Ruck 4 Resilience is a 2-mile or 5-mile walk or run in which participants wear a weighted backpack.<\/p>\n
Lubbock VFW Commander Sarah Weede said she started the event after losing friends to suicide during her time on active duty.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing active duty, I lost quite a few friends to suicide due to post-traumatic stress \u2014 things that they didn\u2019t go and ask help for that kept building up,\u201d Weede said. \u201cThey unfortunately thought the only option was to take their life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weede said she wanted to channel those losses into action.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to start this event because suicides in the military, suicides outside of the military in the veteran community and the first responder community \u2014 they\u2019re too high,\u201d Weede said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, between 6,300 and 6,500 U.S. military veterans die by suicide each year.<\/p>\n
Weede said events like the Ruck 4 Resilience can reach people who may not think they need help.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can start telling people that it\u2019s okay to not be okay, it\u2019s okay to ask for help \u2014 it\u2019s actually a strength to ask for help rather than a weakness \u2014 maybe we can start saving some lives,\u201d Weede said.<\/p>\n
She also urged friends and family members to take action if they are concerned about someone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are a friend of someone who is contemplating suicide, don\u2019t leave them,\u201d Weede said. \u201cBe brave enough to ask the question: \u2018Are you thinking about hurting yourself?\u2019 Because it\u2019s a taboo subject, but sometimes they just need somebody to talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Weede said early intervention is key to preventing PTSD from worsening.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur veterans, our first responders \u2014 they see abnormal things on a day-to-day basis,\u201d Weede said. \u201cSo you need to go get help once you start having that stress so it doesn\u2019t turn into the disorder part. It\u2019s okay to not be okay, but it\u2019s not okay to not ask for help.\u201d<\/p>\n
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