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military has ever seen. Each of them
knew fellow soldiers and veterans who
were struggling, and they were deter-
mined to create a solution.

Today, the risk of suicide is 50% higher
for veterans than for their peers who
have not served. It’s simply unac-

ceptable — especially given that most
suicides are preventable.

The problem is clear: The systems in

place aren’t working. Getting help isn’t
as easy as it should be — and trying to
navigate a complicated maze of orga-
nizations and resources can be over- a happy and productive member of society. She started a

whelming when you’re in crisis. family, too.

According to co-founder Brian E. “From that point on, I promised to be more closely involved
Kinsella (Co-Founder & Chairman) with my soldiers so they’d feel comfortable talking to their

“My first contact with military suicide chain of command before the stress of military service esca-
happened before I was an active duty lated into harmful behavior.
soldier. In college, one of my ROTC
classmates at Johns Hopkins took his “I never had another soldier in my command attempt to

life. take their life — but on my last assignment before leaving
the Army, I was once again brought face-to-face with sui-
“Shortly after I arrived at my first duty cide.
station in 2006, I received word that

one of my junior female soldiers had “While working with an aide-de-camp to a commanding
attempted suicide. She was homesick general, a much-admired sergeant — who worked directly
and felt completely alone while de- with senior leadership — shot and killed himself. This time,
ployed to Germany. Suicide seemed there was no cry for help. Nothing.

like the only way out to her.
“It was clear that something had to be done proactively to
“I felt like we —my unit and I — had get our brothers and sisters in arms the help they needed
failed this soldier and dedicated my- and reduce the number of service members and veterans

self to making sure she received the lost to suicide.
help and support she needed to move
forward. She went from nearly termi- “In 2010, I co-founded Stop Soldier Suicide with my friends
nal homesickness and crisis to being and fellow Army veterans Nick Black and Craig Gridelli.
24 ReEntry Delaware INVITATIONAL