ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – A partnership between Bay College and the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center is providing comfort to local veterans during National Suicide Awareness Month.
On Thursday, Bay College students staff, and members of the community created “cards of hope.” Participants decorated unique cards and wrote positive messages inside. The 50 cards that were made will be included in care packages delivered to veterans.
According to OGJVAMC Suicide Prevention Program Manager Sharon Anastas, more than 6,000 veterans died by suicide in 2021. She hopes the “cards of hope” will encourage the veterans who receive them.
“One of the things with suicide prevention that’s really important is two heads are better than one, four are better than two, and really the adage of ‘it takes a village,'” Anastas said. “This is super exciting to partner with Bay College to let our veterans know that they’re not alone in the community and that there’s people thinking about them.”
“It’s just that other piece of a homemade touch to know that the community cares about them,” said Bay College communications instructor Dr. Renee Strom.
Bay College’s Iron Mountain campus will host a “cards of hope” event in the Lower Commons on Thursday, September 26, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Central. Dr. Strom says Bay and Oscar J. Johnson plan to make it an annual event.
Veterans and loved ones looking for resources can visit their nearest outpatient Veterans Affairs clinic. To find a clinic or for more information on the Oscar J. Johnson VA Medical Center, visit va.gov.
