Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention for Veterans in Central Texas

Every day in the United States, an estimated 22 veterans die by suicide—a figure that has become a rallying cry for awareness campaigns like 22KILL (a project of the One Tribe Foundation). However, recent data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (2022) estimates a slightly lower, yet still devastating, average of 17.6 veteran suicides per day VA News.

Regardless of the precise number—17, 18, or 22—any veteran lost to suicide is one too many. These deaths are not due to lack of strength—they arise from undetected trauma, isolation, and systemic gaps.

Why Central Texas Needs Veteran-Specific Support

Central Texas has a unique veteran landscape: home to Fort Hood and large veteran populations across Killeen and Copperas Cove. Key challenges include:

• Rising rates of C-PTSD, military sexual trauma, and under-addressed mental health concerns
• Barriers to care: stigma, long wait times, or lack of culturally informed services
• Strain on veterans' families, which deepens the sense of isolation

At Scarlett Heart LLC, we believe in trauma-informed community care, rooted in science and spirituality, as a healing force.

The Power of Peer Support & Collective Healing

Data shows that peer support and communal wellness approaches reduce isolation and build resilience—vital for veterans struggling with mental health. At Scarlett Heart Lotus Wellness, we offer:

• Mindfulness practices inspired by Theravāda Buddhism
• Energy and aura cleansing for emotional release
• Holistic integrative health grounded in both research and spirit
• Safe spaces for peer connection, through shared vulnerability

This isn't just therapy—it’s about meaning, belonging, and healing together.

How You Can Help

As a veteran, family member, or community ally, you can play a vital role:

• Listen deeply, without judgment, when veterans share their pain
• Encourage professional & peer support gently and persistently
• Attend and share community wellness events to normalize help-seeking
• Post awareness messages with resources that can save lives

📞 Crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1.

Join Scarlett Heart Lotus Wellness

Our mission: to ensure no veteran in Central Texas walks this path alone. Through weekly peer circles, integrative wellness programs, and spiritually grounded practices, we’re answering the call to heal.

✨ Take the next step
👉 Join our Veteran Peer Support Group
👉 Explore our Wellness Programs

Together, we can transform “22 a day” into 22 fewer silent battles.

#22VeteransADay #VeteranSuicidePrevention #ScarlettHeartLLC #CentralTexasVeterans #CPTSDAwareness #PeerSupport