Tampa Bay non -profit organizations aim to reduce veteran suicide with the new “Red Star” award.

Editor Note: This story includes a suicide discussion. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you can use it. You can send a phone or text to 988 and connect to a suicide and crisis help line. At the bottom of this story, additional resources are listed.

Clearwater -After working for 26 years in armed service, Thomas Syer struggled with private life.

He suffered from post -mental trauma stress disorder and a rugby concussion that played rugby.

The isolation brought by the pandemic proved that one burden was too large, and 53 -year -old Syer died in July 2020.

His widow Michel Sere, 11 -year -old twin boys and girls were left to continue what she called “the darkest day in her life.” She said that there was no help from the veteran bureau, and the Internet did not introduce a support organization that could connect her with other veterans who took her life.

And as if his service to the country had decreased, it seemed that there was a stigma around her husband’s death.

“There was a noticeable gap in supporting a family who loved the invisible wounds of the war,” she said.

Syer’s experience is a catalyst for the formation of a new Clearwater non -profit organization aimed at building support networks for families like Syer, and prevents suicide from retirement soldiers, active service members, and fast -less ponders. Useful for.

In addition, the Red Star Foundation recognizes a family affected by the suicide of a veteran, through the award of the Red Star Banner and Pins, which modeled on the Gold Star recognition provided to the family of the service members killed during the active service. I will provide you.

Syer was one of the first winners of the Red Star Banner and the pin on a ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Hotel on Friday morning.

The bruce lector, mayor of Clearwater, who his father David Lector lost his life 35 years ago, was also awarded banner and pin. His father worked for the U.S. forces as a rescue team and a side -clerk. He also established a community ambulance service program at Pendorton Volunteer Fire Department in Indiana.

He said the veterans and the first respondents were exposed and were deeply influenced by the sight of “they cannot see them.”

“I know the trauma facing the people who survive the people who take their lives,” he said. “It’s a scar that never leaves a loved one.”

According to data from the veterans and the Pentagon, more than 6,400 veterans and 500 active service members in 2022 died their lives in 2022.

According to Red Star Foundation’s retirement and founder Jerry Shaffer, about 500 and previous first respondents have died in suicide.

Shafa said that the veteran bureau and other organizations have invested money to reduce suicide rate, but are struggling to move the needle.

Shaffer groups want to support “forgotten families.” Group’s initiative contains family networks, so families share stories about their experience and support each other. The group will also provide the perception of suicide of a veteran and work to connect the rescuers who need a suicide mind.

Shafa said that the Red Star Banner and Pin were to praise the sacrifice of the family and the first responder’s family who took their lives and their lives. The person who receives it is no longer a suicide survivor, but a Red Star family.

“This is a symbol of recognition, connection, and memory, providing emotional support to the family, and raising the continuous crisis of suicide and service,” he said.

We have support for veterans with suicide mind. The retirement soldier hotline, which has been opened 24 hours a day, has processed more than 8.4 million telephones since its release in 2007. Non -profit organizations, including 22aday.org, are trying to increase the perception of high -level suicide of veterans.

Locally, the U.S. Corps Post 7 runs Operation Warrior Hope, a program designed to support veterans during difficult transition to private life.

The Red Star Foundation is also planning to record and post an interview with up to 100 surviving families, which talks about the impact of suicide of loved ones in their lives. I hope that a video will be watched by a suicide mind and a video can be watched to seek help instead of damaging the family.

Tanya Mote, the third winner of the Red Star Banner and Pimpin on Friday, is among those who have already been interviewed.

Her son, Anthony Mulstadt, was 23 years old when he died in 2021. While he was stationed in Twentinin Palms, California, he served as a Machine Gunner of the 1st Battalion, the 7th Marine Corps and a vehicle commander. He rose to the class of the army and was deployed three times.

He died of self -harm. The sad news was delivered to his family by two Marines.

“It’s the worst day of my life to defeat that hand, and we’ve changed us forever,” Mote said on the video.

She wants to encourage videos to reach out for help.

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Do you need help?あなたまたはあなたが知っている誰かが自殺または精神衛生の危機を考えている場合、988Lifeline.orgでオンラインで988 Suide＆Crisis Lifelineに到達するか、988 Suide＆Crisis Lifelineに到達するために988に電話またはテキストを送信Please do. This service contains a specific help for veterans. You can also dial 211 and reach non -profit organizations in the area for information and introductions about human service organizations.

The first responders and the retired family who have lost their lives can contact Redstarfoundation.org or (727) 977-6161 Red Star Foundation.