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LEWISTON — White Star mother Linda Lajoie will be speaking about “Veteran Suicide Awareness” at the USM L/A campus April 17. Lajoie lost her son, an Afghanistan veteran, in December 2014 to suicide. She admits there were so many things she did not know — the warning signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, how many resources were available in addition to the VA, but most of all, she did not know that every day on average 20 to 22 veterans commit suicide. Lajoie is now on a mission to educate other families and is urging veterans who may be struggling to reach out for help.
That same day at noon, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for 22 silhouettes to be placed in the lobby of University of Southern Maine Lewiston Auburn College campus for six days. The silhouettes will have the names of Maine veterans lost to this epidemic as well as positive messages from veterans and local veteran groups.
There are so many groups and organizations available right here in Maine with resources for veterans. These resources include everything from home repair and help with housing, to free camping, hunting and fishing trips. The Maine Bureau of Veteran Services has an interactive map to find organizations in your area, visit www.maine.gov/veterans/
If you or a loved one is struggling reach out, call 1-800-273-8255, veterans press 1. There is also on line help at www.veteranscrisisline.net that offers 24 hour a day on line chats.
If you would like to donate or get more information about the project please contact Lajoie at linlaj@yahoo.com with Silhouette Project in the subject line.
