Hi everyone,

Thank you again for all of your support this weekend. Another solid finish for our 22 team. Hopefully we can keep this momentum up as we head into Dover.

This Week’s Cause: Suicide Prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a tough topic to talk about, but I believe the issue has to be addressed if we want to work on solving the problem. We decided for the 3rd week of Chasing Second Chances it was important to bring awareness to this cause, in particular Veteran Suicide.

Currently, the estimate is 22 veterans commit suicide each day. Some believe this number is low and other people believe there needs to be more studies done to have a more accurate figure, but what we know for sure is veterans have a suicide rate higher than non-veterans. One statistic I read said the rate was 50% higher.

About a year ago, I was introduced to an organization working to prevent veteran suicide. The group Elder Heart, a veteran non-profit organization, teamed up with a global advertising agency to create the Mission 22 campaign. Elder Heart is made up of Delta Force and Special Forces operators Tom Spooner, Magnus Johnson, and Mike Kissel. Because of their personal battles with PTSD and TBI they have made it their mission to raise awareness, enlist support, and end veteran suicide in America.

The Mission 22 site (http://www.mission22.com/vetintel) is a great resource for veterans who may be struggling and their families. I was really struck by a statement on the site…

“You may feel vulnerable asking for help, but be brave enough to admit when you need backup. You are not alone. There’s an army behind you. Find a counselor, psychiatrist, family member or friend who is willing to help. You fought for your brothers in arms before. Now let your community fight for you.”

To those of us who have never had to fight because others were willing to risk their lives for our freedom, it is our turn to fight for these veterans. We need to become the army these soldiers need to get through the struggle.

I wanted to focus on listing resources in this post in case you or someone you love needs help.

The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential crisis resource that veterans and their families and friends can access any day, anytime. Trained responders — some of them veterans themselves — are ready to listen, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Also, striking up a conversation with a veteran, or encouraging those on your social networks to support veterans in your area, could save a life. You never know who is listening.

If any of the following signs of suicide are present, they require immediate attention:

  • Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
  • Looking for ways to kill yourself
  • Talking about death, dying, or suicide
  • Self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse, weapons, etc.

If you notice any of these in a veteran or service member you know, connect him or her with the Veterans Crisis Line’s 24/7/365 resources: Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/chat, or text to 838255.

Remember…

“They fought for us. And now we must fight for them. Commit a small portion of your time to help veterans in need in your community. It could be the difference between losing a hero and saving a life.”
-Mission 22<

This Week’s Joey Logano Foundation Chasing Second Chances Partner

In partnership with Elder Heart, Mission 22 and Dover International Speedway, the Joey Logano Foundation will provide a permanent statue designed to raise awareness about the 22 soldiers we are losing each day. It will be placed on track property so fans and visitors can be reminded that our soldiers need us. The statue will feature Michelle Langhorst, one of the 22 that died on March 30, 2015.

I encourage you to explore the Mission 22 site, share the information and join us in bringing awareness to this cause. During this week (September 28-October 4), I am offering veterans a free copy of War and Soul: Healing our Nation’s Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a book recommended on the Mission 22 resource site.

Just email shop@joeylogano.com and provide a brief explanation of who the book is for and an address for where the book can be sent.*

“Everyone, vets and their families, want things to return exactly as they were before deployment. And that just isn’t going to happen, and that’s ok. People naturally grow, evolve and change based on things that happen in their lives and war only accentuates this. You have to move forward—encourage your vet to look over the horizon and all of you should be open to new evolutions.”
— Magnus Johnson

THANK YOU, to all the veterans for your service. We truly appreciate you and your families for the sacrifices you have made.

*Depending on the response, limited quantities may available. Please limit one per household.