Patient Awareness ►
Andy ... I Care
A Story of Veterans Suicide Awareness
by Kevin Halderman , Contributing Writer
It ’ s Birthday . On the radio comes an
October 13 , 2021 , and I ’ m driving to KC for my daughter ’ s 28th
announcement concerning the number of suicides our Military forces are suffering . Two miles down the road , there is a billboard advertising the same awareness concern , which spiraled me to think about whether I should share my story . I ’ m not judging nor commenting on the state of our Military or our Government . Instead , I am commenting on the young men and women who sacrificed both at home and abroad for something in which they believe .
Since becoming involved in cannabis five years ago , I have become a believer in Karma or just the right time , right place , and here is why . I was working in my Columbia store on a mid-winter day at the beginning of 2021 when in walked a young ( 22-24 ) man . He was just “ a normal guy ;” let ’ s call him Andy . I said hello , and he nodded his head . Andy looked around a bit and never said anything . I asked Andy if I could help him find anything , and he replied , “ No , I don ’ t think so .” So as an owner , I could have simply justified never saying anything more to Andy , but something just felt wrong to me .
I watched Andy for three to five minutes . He seemed very distressed and seriously looking for — something . I asked Andy if I could make him some tea , and he said , “ That would be great .” We sat down , and I asked him where he was from and what brought him to Columbia . He grew up about 15 miles from where I grew up , and he mentioned that he had an upcoming appointment at the VA . We started a little dialogue about our hometowns , but he was still uncomfortable opening up . Finally , I just asked , “ Are you okay ?” Andy put his head down and just said , “ No .” I simply asked , “ Is there something I can do to
20 December 2021 help you ?” He hesitated for several minutes and said , “ Can we just talk ?” “ Of course ,” I said . “ Anything on your mind we can talk about ?”
Andy opened up by telling me about his last tour into Iraq and the subsequent IED that went off , ending not only his Military career but also for
five members in his squad . Four of his squad members sadly did not make it . His best friend did . They were both severely injured and thus discharged . He then explained that two days earlier , his best friend had been arrested for choking his wife during a night terror . The same night of his arrest , within two hours of being inside the jailhouse , Andy ’ s friend committed suicide . Andy then looked at me and said , “ If he could not make it , how can I ”? I felt so much sorrow , and it was everything I could do not to cry . I could only think about my daughter opening up and telling someone the same thing . How would that person handle it ? It took me a few minutes to clear my head , and I could only think of giving him my private number and said , “ If you ever have a thought about not breathing , call me , anytime , anyplace .” It was the first time I saw Andy try to smile .
A Few Facts about Suicide
Average Number of Suicide Deaths per Day
● The average number of suicide deaths per day continues to increase within the general population . The average rose from 86.6 per day in 2005 to 124.4 in 2017 and 127.4 in 2018 .
● The average number of Veteran suicides per day rose from 16.6 in 2005 to 17.6 in 2018 . From 2017 to 2018 , the average number of Veteran suicides per day rose from 17.5 to 17.6 .
● Among VHA patients , suicide rates are highest among those who are divorced , widowed , or never married , and rates are lowest among those who are married . Suicide rates are elevated among individuals residing in rural areas .
● VHA patients who died by suicide are more likely to have sleep disorders , traumatic brain injury , or a pain diagnosis than other VHA patients .
( Ref : 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report and
www . USO . org .)
Missouri overwhelmingly passed Medical Marijuana . As of October , The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services ( DHSS ) announced that the Missouri Veterans Commission ( MVC ) has received $ 6,843,310 from the State ’ s medical marijuana program . This money will be used for Veteran benefits across the state .
But does that money really matter ? Of course , it Continued on page 30 ►