Suicide awareness events planned for military communities

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and is recognized as a time to remember the lives lost to suicide and raise awareness about suicide prevention and its impact on loved ones.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 30,000 active-duty service members or veterans have died by suicide. That is more than four times the number of those who have died in combat.

Suicide rates among troops continue to rise. According to the Defense Department, suicide rates among troops in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps for the first quarter of 2024 topped pandemic-era rates. The Defense Suicide Prevention Office reported 94 active-duty U.S. military personnel deaths suspected or confirmed by military services to be suicides during the first quarter of 2024.

Locally, there are two events planned for next week aimed at creating awareness for suicide, particularly within the military community.

The first event will take place on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It is a 12K Run at the Buckner Fitness Trail on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The event is free and is open to civilians, dependents, active-duty members, and retirees. This 12K Run is also timed, and there will be prizes for top finishers.

The 673rd Mental Health Clinic and the 673rd Force Support Squadron are organizing the Light Up JBER 12K Run. In previous races, multiple supporting agencies such as Military One Source, the USO, and others were present at the run to provide the JBER community with information and resources about suicide prevention.

You can register for the in-person race at https://rb.gy/38ba32. Those who cannot make the physical race and participate virtually by signing up at https://rb.gy/jozat6. The race starts at 3 p.m.

The second event will be a hike at the West Butte Trailhead on Sept. 11. The Hero Hike is being put on by the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), which has hosted this event in 2022 in an effort to bring honor to the Heroes of 9/11 and bring attention to Veteran Suicide Awareness.

Courtney Millslagle, one of the organizers of the event, hopes to see a bigger turnout this year.

“This hike is one of many events that VAREP hosts annually to fundraise for Alaskan Veterans. All proceeds from our events go to support housing hardships of Alaskan Veterans,” Millslagle said. “This hike is important as it helps honor those who have served, bring together our community and bring awareness to Suicide Awareness Month.”

The event has a $9.11 registration fee. Local community members and businesses are donating snacks, water, and swag items for registered participants.

The hike will begin at 3:30 p.m. and is planned to be a moderate-paced group hike. To register for the hike, go to https://varep.net/SCAHEROHIKESEPT24/.

Veterans and service members experiencing a mental health emergency can call the Military Crisis Line by calling 988, then press 1. Help is also available by text at 838255 and via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.