Texas VFW District 6 and its Auxiliary will be presenting a Veteran Suicide Awareness Training on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the John N. Timon VFW Post 2397 Back Hall, 4441 Ayers St., Corpus Christi. The community-based program is intended to increase public awareness of Veteran suicide, strengthen understanding of warning signs, and provide guidance on how to respond when a Veteran may be in distress.
The training is open to veterans, families, caregivers, employers, clergy, community leaders, and residents throughout the Coastal Bend. Organizers said the session is designed to equip attendees with practical knowledge to identify risks, encourage supportive intervention, and connect Veterans with appropriate assistance before a crisis escalates.
The need for such training remains urgent. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 6,398 Veterans died by suicide in 2023, and 61% of those individuals were not receiving VA health care during the year prior to their deaths. Those figures underscore the importance of community awareness, since many Veterans experiencing emotional distress may be more visible to relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and fellow Veterans than to formal care systems. District leaders said preventing Veteran suicide requires an active and informed public response.
Community members are often in the best position to notice changes in behavior, withdrawal, hopelessness, or other warning signs that may indicate a Veteran is struggling. By learning how to recognize those signs and respond appropriately, local residents can help reduce isolation, address suicidal ideation early, and guide veterans toward lifesaving support.
The event is free and open to the public. Visit the event webpage to learn more and pre-register for this training: https://vfwtxdist6.org/programs-initiatives/veteran-suicide-awareness/.
Anyone in crisis, or concerned about a veteran in crisis, may contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling or texting 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255. The service is free, confidential, available 24 hours a day, and may be used even by those not enrolled in VA health care or benefits.