COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Richland County American Legion post for veterans made veteran check-in calls on Tuesday to check in on post members ahead of the holidays. The calls are a part of efforts to curb suicide rates among veterans.
“I could be the one," one veteran told News 19.
Being the one, it’s the hope with each number punched at the Richland County American Legion.
“Coming up on the holiday season, we have a lot of folks by themselves go into depression,” Richland County American Legion Post Commander Teresa Meagher said.
Meagher led close to a dozen volunteers on the mission to make a difference in veterans’ lives.
“We are calling our post members today to do a check on them, to make sure that they are healthy, and if they need anything from us, then we can assist in any way way we can,” Meagher said.
The hope is the person on the end of the phone answers.
“The last person I talked to was super sick so he didn’t need anything just sleep," a volunteer said. "But for the most part, people are excited that we’re making the calls and happy to talk to us,"
While most phone calls are with strangers, the mission is a personal one.
“Why, I’ve lost some friends to …. to bad events and just want to check out sometimes. Sometimes all it takes is people just want to hear that someone’s there,” Richland County American Legion Vice Commander Rick Cook said.
Every American Legion is required to make two calls a year to ensure they don’t have to receive a different kind of call.
“You don’t want to wait until you get the call you don’t want," Cook said. "So, I’m glad to check up on people and you never know, one person saved is worth it. Hopefully, we can save everybody."
If you need assistance, there are resources available 24/7. You can call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988, then press 1 to reach the VA Hotline. You can also text the hotline at 838255 or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.