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- Douglas MacArthur
We treat our service members, our veterans, and their loved ones with the highest regard in Wyoming. Those who have answered the call to defend our fundamental freedoms demonstrate the best of Wyoming. They live with courage and integrity. They finish what they start. Above all, they ride for the brand. But too often, our heroes return home wounded – some with injuries we can see and some with the invisible wounds of war. While not all of our veterans struggle with mental health, those who have served experience a heightened risk for post traumatic stress, moral injury, depression, substance use, suicide, and other barriers to living a prosperous life.
It is no secret that Wyoming has not given the topic of mental health and suicide the attention it deserves. According to Stop Soldier Suicide, our veterans are at a 58% higher risk of suicide than those who have not served — particularly those resuming life in Western states.
Wyomingites are known as strong individualists, enduring vast terrain and unforgiving conditions. With this comes freedom and self-determination. With wide open spaces also comes isolation – underdeveloped healthcare systems and long response times. Wyoming consistently ranks among the worst in the United States for suicide rate, with 155 deaths by suicide in 2023.
Over the past several years, I have hosted town halls across the state to listen, learn, and share resources. In every community I visit, I ask those in attendance to raise their hand if they knew someone who had attempted suicide. The response is frighteningly overwhelming. Our communities are feeling the impacts of lost family members, friends, and neighbors. Our communities know about the prevalence of poor mental health, yet battle with the stigma surrounding it.
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My administration has prioritized this conversation and fostered a shift to a culture of resilience, community and determination. We are spreading a new narrative of “it’s okay to not be okay.”
As I have engaged in this work, it has become clear that our service members and veterans often face circumstances and factors that contribute to poor mental health and suicide. In Wyoming, the suicide rate for veterans is generally double that of total suicide rate. In 2022, Wyoming experienced 22 veteran suicides. That is not acceptable. For too long this has been a feature of Wyoming’s story, but that story is beginning to change.
Since taking office, I have worked to change the conversation around veteran suicide and implement actual systems of support for those in need. The Veterans Talking to Veterans (VTTV) program is one I emphasize. This program exemplifies the best of Wyoming values: service, resilience, and community. Through rigorous and ongoing training in trauma-informed coaching, crisis response, and systems navigation, veterans and veteran spouses become coaches for their peers.
Our growing number of VTTV coaches create spaces of support for other veterans in their community to heal from trauma, build meaningful connections, and return to peak performance. They engage in specialized group coaching that avoid retraumatization, they intervene in moments of crisis, and they walk alongside their fellow veterans through moments of hardship and moments of growth – all as volunteers.
But it is more.
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Recently, our reach has expanded. VTTV coaches have responded to community tragedies, engaged with emergency service personnel who experienced trauma, engaged with justice-involved veterans, and collaborated with a number of partners. These include the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, faith-based institutions, and nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross, The Patton Project, Downrange Warriors, and AARP. This growth is welcome, and I am excited to see the important work of VTTV progress.
But the work does not stop there. Suicide is a social issue. Learning about the complexity of mental health and suicide, learning how to have conversations about suicide, and having those conversations when we see warning signs is important and a way for all of us to address this tragedy. This is especially true as we continue the mission of supporting the most honorable among us–our service members, veterans, and their families. Engaging in suicide awareness and prevention can seem overwhelming. But it is a commitment we must make together.
In Wyoming, we celebrate resilience. We help our neighbor through hard times, and we expect those we trust to have our backs.
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FIND A MEETING NEAREST YOU.
"Through heartfelt conversations and the power of shared experiences, Veterans Talking to Veterans (VTTV) aims to foster deep connections, offer unwavering support, and empower one another as we navigate life's transitions.
Join a journey of healing to uncover the profound meaning and purpose that awaits beyond your military service. You are not alone - find solace and inspiration among your community of fellow veterans. Attend a VTTV meeting to embark on a path of healing and newfound meaning in life."
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The 988 Wyoming Crisis Lifeline is a free and confidential service available 24/7 for individuals in crisis. You can call, text, or chat online at 988Lifeline.org/chat for support during a mental health crisis or for substance abuse-related concerns. You will be connected with certified crisis intervention specialist who can provide help and guidance. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
Veteran Crisis Line: 988 then Press 1 or Text 838255
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Free Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training Across Wyoming
Backed by Governor Gordon’s WY We Care initiative, PROSPER works closely with county prevention specialists to partner with Wyoming schools, clinicians, first responders, faith leaders, and parents in reducing suicide risk statewide. As part of the incredible efforts of Lincoln County ATODS, PROSPER helped facilitate a 60% reduction in suicide between 2021 and 2022. Today, we’re working together to sustain these gains—by embracing the resilience and self-reliance of Wyoming communities, we continue building safer, more connected lives across the state.
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