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Massachusetts Army National Guard Battles Increased Rates Of Suicide
ResumeFor the past couple of days, we've heard about the increased rates of suicide in the National Guard reserves in a series by WBUR's Lynn Jolicoeur.
Thursday, 31-year-old Nate Radke spoke about his bout with depression, the suicidal thoughts he used to have and the beginning of a new life for him after checking into UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Friday, we heard from the mother of Joaquin Pereira, Jr., a Massachusetts National Guard soldier who was 25 years old when he took his own life almost a year ago, after doing two tours overseas in war zones.
Guest
Sgt. Maj. Bill Davidson, head of Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention program for the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
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WBUR: Massachusetts Army National Guard Is Fighting A War Against Suicide
- "In the last two years, eight of Radke’s fellow Massachusetts National Guardsmen — including one of his friends — completed the act of suicide. That’s a significant increase from five suicides over the previous nine years."
WBUR: ‘They’re Still At War When They Come Home’: Soldier’s Mother Struggles With His Suicide
- "For Tammy Sprague Gallagher of Raynham, this has become a daily ritual. She spends a few moments in front of her dresser, which is covered with pictures of her son, Joaquin Pereira Jr., and his military medals. She talks to him, or reads this poem to him."
This segment aired on September 19, 2014.