Veterans taking their lives continues to be a sad and unfortunate trend in the United States. Nevada has also experienced the same alarming suicide rates for veterans.

To help alert more people about the need to take necessary steps to prevent the tragic losses of these lives, Western Nevada College’s Veterans Resource Center is holding a Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness March on Saturday, May 6.

Community members are invited to participate in the event scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will walk from the corner of U.S. Highway 395 (Bully’s parking lot) and West College Parkway to the WNC campus at 2201 West College Parkway, and back, approximately 2.3 miles round trip.

Refreshments will be served at WNC, and a presentation about veteran suicides and resources available in our area, according to WNC Veterans Resource Center Coordinator John Jacobson. T-shirts and vinyl decals will be available for purchase at the walk’s starting and endpoints. Proceeds will help support future WNC events in recognition of Veterans.

The event will help bring awareness to the ongoing reality of veteran suicide, which occurs in this country 16.8 times per day and 6,146 times in 2022, according to U.S. Veterans Affairs Department. In Nevada, 126 veterans committed suicide in 2021.

Besides promoting suicide awareness, event organizers want to inform people of common signs of someone considering suicide and the resources available to help them. Veterans and their family members can call the crisis line at 988, then press 1 for confidential support or go to www.veteranscrisisline.net.

For more information about the event, contact Veteran John Jacobson at 775-445-3301 or john.jacobson@wnc.edu.