Today, the number one issue facing the veteran community is suicide. In the United States, 22 veterans a day commit suicide. The mission of the American Legion Be The One Initiative is to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. Be The One offers a multitude of resources to assist in making a difference in the lives of veterans. Be The One is actively working on lessening the stigma associated with mental health treatment and empowering everyone to take appropriate action when a veteran or service member may be at risk - one life at a time. 

Whether you are a veteran or the friend or family-member of a veteran, you can Be The One. 

You can "Be The One" to save a veteran by conducting Buddy Checks, raising awareness of resources available for veterans in your community, taking a training course so you know what to do in the event of a potential crisis. By talking about veteran suicide, raising awareness, and fostering camaraderie among your peers you are demonstrating what it means to Be The One. 

Although veteran suicide occurs for a number of reasons, there are several causes our community should be aware of in order to help prevent these rates from rising even higher. Veterans are most vulnerable in the first three months following military service, although suicide rates among veterans remains elevated for years after reintegration into civilian life. Veterans have reported difficulty in several areas during their transition into civilian life, including troubles with productivity at work, inability to perform chores or take care of health needs, and complications while interacting with spouses, family members, and friends. Veterans frequently face unique challenges, including exposure to combat, physical injuries or disabilities incurred during service, and the stress of transitioning from military to civilian life that contribute to higher incidences of depression compared to the general population.