According to the Pentagon, there have been more than 150 suicides among active service men and women this year. That rate is on track to set a new yearly high and outpaces the number killed in battle.

According to the New York Times, “Suicides have increased even as the United States military has withdrawn from Iraq and stepped up efforts to provide mental health, drug and alcohol, and financial counselling services.”

Unfortunately, for many service men and women, the battle with mental illnesses such as PTSD and depression does not end when they return from overseas.

On Veterans Day, November 11, HIKE for Mental Health will conduct a 2 mile walk to raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by our returning military personnel. The $25 registration donation will purchase mental health books and pamphlets for the patients in a psychiatric unit of a US Veterans hospital. Participants can also choose to donate the book(s) directly by purchasing from this Amazon wish list and having it delivered to:

William Beaumont Army Medical Center
11 WEST Behavioral Health Ward , InPt, attn: Rosa Klocksiem RN
5005 North Piedras Street
El Paso, Texas 79920

The walk is in conjunction with Operation Paperback.