Recovery Celebration
Dear Editor: On Saturday night, the Recovery Month Celebration took place at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi house. Each year hundreds of Sitkans meet to celebrate life in a heart-warming gathering open to everyone. The focus of the event is suicide prevention, and living a life freed from alcohol and other drugs. Harry Bradley, the force behind this annual event, leads a dedicated team that feeds hundreds of attendees fresh and local fish, provides beautiful dance, music, and games, and creates a healthy environment that honors everyone in the room. Special honors were given to Dan Etulain and Dionne Brady-Howard for their leadership efforts in encouraging people to live a sober and healthy life.
There are heroes who live amongst us who understand the precious gift of life that we’ve been given, and Dan is a champion in his media work for the heroin crisis. He received a carved paddle with the watchman painted on it. Dionne received a beautifully crafted drum to honor her tenacious work as an educator, the caretaker of the Kiksadis’ clan songs, active leader for Sitka Native Education Program, coordinator of the Tlingit dance performances, and her undying passion to preserve the language and culture of Tlingit people. She is entering her 18th year as a social studies teacher at Mt. Edgecumbe High School where she encourages her students to abstain from alcohol and drugs and to continue their successful education.
The Recovery Month Celebration takes place each September, thanks to the tireless work of Harry Bradley and his team. Generous sponsors include: SEARHC behavioral health, Sitka Counseling, Hames Center, Lakeside-Milam Recovery Center, Sitka Tribe and donated supplies from Pacific High School.
If you or anyone you know would like to join or get some help from this courageous group of people, contact Harry Bradley at 966-8655.
Cindy Bea Edwards, Sitka
Veteran Suicide
Dear Editor: September is Suicide Awareness Month and we can all play a role in preventing suicide, but many people don’t know what they can do to support the local Veterans, Service member, Guard or Reserve member or their families.
I need to address something about this unspeakable epidemic. Did you know if you are one of the above that you are three times more likely to commit suicide than the average citizen? Today, we lose a veteran to this epidemic every 72 minutes, equaling 20 veterans a day. This number is unacceptable and needs each of us working together in order to see this number reduced and eliminated.
The best way we can reverse this tragic number is through knowledge. You have to be aware of the risk factors for someone contemplating suicide, who you can contact, and what you can do to assist a veteran in need.
Common Risk Factors:
–Unable to adjust into the community or find work – Not getting along with life-long friends and family members, lacking the desire to enjoy previous hobbies (i.e.: camping, fishing, hunting) or unable to hold permanent employment.
–Sleeping Issues – Cannot sleep at night. The veteran has to self-medicate (i.e.: medications, drugs, alcohol) to consider sleeping.
–Lack of motivation and energy – Functioning requires drugs, copious amounts of caffeine, nicotine, and other amphetamines.
–TBI / PTSD – Any traumatic brain injury and post traumatic injuries whether diagnosed or not.
–Depression – Sad, lethargic, lacking energy to communicate or function normally.
–Substance Abuse – This is also known as self-medicating. Alcohol is needed to sleep. To awaken requires excessive caffeine, and illegal drugs, or other stimulants. One third of all suicides occurred when the veteran had been drinking or doing drugs.
–Major Life Stressor – Most suicide attempts in the Veteran community occurred roughly within two weeks after a major life stressor. For instance: loss of a family member, home, marriage, or job. The majority of suicides center around financial or relationship issues.
One of the best ways to help is listen. I know it is difficult sometimes to just listen without providing guidance but in reality, being heard helps lessen the tensions of life. Next, reach out to old friends. A friendly face and just letting them know you are still there could affect their decisions. Remember, this epidemic is not going to get better until we all take an active role. If you are reading this, you are the most important person in this equation.
In the end please reach out either with your friend or for your friend. The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis, and/or their families and friends with qualified, caring VA staff through a toll-free hotline (1-800-273-8255 (Talk), and press 1).
Our office phone number is 907-334-0874 or toll-free 1-888-248-3682. I believe together we can change the epidemic of veterans’ suicide.
Verdie Bowen,
Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs
