How Can We Reduce the High Rate of Suicides Among Returning Veterans and Help the Survivors They Leave Behind? June 23 National Press Club Newsmaker Features Kim Ruocco of TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program)

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Suicide in the United States has surged to its highest levels in 30 years, more lives have been lost to suicide in the past 15 years than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. Another staggering statistic, veterans are 12 times more likely to die by suicide than nonveterans. Even more surprising is the fact that female veterans are six times more likely to die by suicide than their civilian counterparts. Families affected by suicide also are at a higher risk of death by suicide.  What can we do?

On June 23, at 10 a.m., in the National Press Club's First Amendment Lounge, Kim Ruocco, Chief External Relations Officer for The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), will discuss efforts to offer comfort and care to those who are grieving the loss of a service member to suicide. She also will relate how personal experience and information gathered from thousands of service members and bereaved military families help others deal with suicide. 

Since 1994, TAPS, at no cost to surviving families and loved ones, has assisted over 50,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers. The National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp are held annually along with regional TAPS programs.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C.  Like all Newsmaker events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

Contact:
Tony Gallo, NPC Newsmakers
202 -544-6973, [email protected]

National Press Club Newsmaker Program
Daybooks/Calendar/Correspondents/Assignment Editors/Press Offices
Jamie Horwitz, NPC Newsmaker Chairman, [email protected], 202/549-4921

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SOURCE National Press Club