World Suicide Prevention Day 2022| PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Holds Ceremony

Every 40 seconds, somewhere in the world, a life is taken by suicide. Today we focus attention on this and take steps to prevent the future loss of life.

PENNSYLVANIA | Saturday, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. With the mission of global commitment to focus attention on suicide prevention, the movement has also inspired action on the state level.

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), World Suicide Prevention Day is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. The event represents a global commitment to focus attention on suicide prevention. The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day 2022 is “Creating hope through action.” In advance of this, on Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) held its annual candle lighting ceremony. The DMVA also encourages everyone to light candles at 8 PM on Saturday in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day.

“Initiatives like Light a Candle are very important,” said Nick Taylor, chairman of the Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission. “The glow of the candle flame is a powerful symbol of caring. It tells veterans that they are not forgotten. It gives veterans in crisis a visual sign of support, patriotism, and hope.”

Every day the lives of 22 veterans are lost by suicide. The Pennsylvania DMVA advocates for nearly 800,000 veterans, the fourth largest veteran population in the nation. Recognizing that male and female military veterans are 1.5 and 2.2 times, respectively, more likely to die by suicide than Americans who never served in the military, suicide prevention initiatives have become a priority.

“Participating in Light a Candle on World Suicide Prevention Day is one more way Pennsylvanians can show support for veterans,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “The suicide statistics for veterans are staggering. Lighting a candle shows veterans that they are not alone. The flame of a candle might be small, but the act of lighting the candle is a big step forward in rallying around veterans in crisis.”