Glenpool's VFW Post 9126 Working To Help Prevent Suicides Among Veterans

Glenpool’s VFW Post 9126 is working to help prevent suicides among veterans.

Through a new partnership with The Eagle Ops Foundation, the group will soon offer training to help current and former service members, or anyone in the community in need of help. Starting in May, Glenpool’s VFW will hold free Q.P.R. quarterly suicide prevention training for free.

Q.P.R. stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer also known as the three steps experts use to help anyone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.

VFW Post Quartermaster Scott Lowry says Oklahoma has a high number of veterans which can lead to higher suicide rates so providing programs like this is crucial. 

Lowry says many soldiers leave the military with internal struggles they aren’t able to share with family and encourages families to learn more about the challenges veterans face as they transition to civilian life.

"The biggest thing I see is yes suicide prevention for families is crucial very important, but what are we doing for families? Many families are left out, so, therefore, you have that veteran and the families that don’t know how to deal with them or how to not appease them but comfort them,” Lowry said.

Lowry says struggling families should seek professional help to learn better communication skills. He also shares the benefits of programs like this build camaraderie so that veterans know they are not alone. 

"Myself I’m a disabled combat veteran and it’s just the feeling of loneliness no one understands what I’m going through. No one can just grasp it but that’s not the fact. The fact is there is so much help out there and it’s just it took me 15 years to admit it,” Lowry said.

The first suicide prevention training session starts May 8th and to register Click Here.

It is our policy to provide resources for anybody considering self-harm when reporting about a situation involving suicide or a suicide attempt. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) connect veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.