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With the high suicide rate among U.S. Army veterans, a Tomball veteran wants to help lower that rate with the launch of a new book, telling stories about the survival of others.
The book, “Suicide and Injury Prevention for Warriors, by Warriors,” is written by Charles Wright, who said he came up with the idea for the guide during a therapy class with veterans at the Veterans Outpatient Clinic at Tomball 1200 Main Street West
The Centers for Disease Control identifies veterans as a group with higher than average suicide rates. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Suicide Prevention Report 2020, veterans made up about 8% of the U.S. adult population in 2018, but accounted for about 13.8% of suicide deaths among the nation’s adult population.
Wright said suicide patterns among veterans was a topic of discussion between him and other Tomball VA Clinic veterans.
“We wanted to do something,†Wright said.
The concept they came up with, he said, was the book, which featured stories from each of the veterans who wanted to participate. The stories detail how they got stressed and how they got over the stress in their life.
There are about 23 contributors to the book, he said, with stories of civilians and how they deal with stressors.
“Some of the civilians said, ‘I have a stressor and it’s difficult,’ Wright said. ” What I do with five kids and an unemployed husband ‘; then there was someone else who lost a child in the garden in the pool and they wanted to tell people so they could save a life or two.
There are many stories that convey the deepest thoughts and reflections on the trauma experienced by wartime veterans. Some of the stories come from Vietnam veterans, some of whom were fighter pilots.
“They told me it was more tempting to just fly their plane in the mountains,†Wright said. “It would be quick suicide. But they said, “No, my other Air Force and Navy buddies needed me.”
While the book goes on sale, Wright said the proceeds from the books sold would be used to help veteran families with special needs, such as helping cover the cost of a washer and dryer. He said the books would be paperback, around 208 pages and on sale for $ 15.95 each.
“Most people in distress are looking for a tool in their toolbox to help them, and most won’t be able to afford a book for $ 24.95,†Wright said. “We want this book to be passed on to someone else. It is not for making money; it is made to save lives. In turn, the money will be there to help people. I am a retired sailor so I have nothing to do but help save lives.
“Suicide and Injury Prevention for Warriors, by Warriors†is scheduled to launch on September 18.
Learn more about the book at stpwarriors.org.
