Veteran Suicides

Veterans make up 8 percent of the population in Fond du Lac County, but a higher percentage of them are among suicides in the county. County Veterans Service Officer Rick Patton says about a third of the reported suicides are veterans. There have been 14 to 16 suicides in the county this year and five of them were veterans. If a veteran needs help they can call a crisis line, which is also a number the general public can call. That number is 1-800-273-8255 and veterans should press the number 1 so they can be connected to someone trained to work with veterans. Patton urges anyone who suspects a loved one, friend or acquaintance is pondering suicide to ask them about it. He says sometimes all they need is someone to talk to about it so they can get the help they need. This week is National Suicide Prevention Week.