Raising Awareness of Veteran Suicide
Steak? Cactus Blossoms? Helping our veterans? Yes , yes and yes!! Please join us on a night of fine dining at Texas Roadhouse (1290 N Kinzie Ave, Bradley, IL 60915) on December 10th, 2024 3:00 pm -10:00 pm. 10% of your total food purchases will be donated to helping our veterans and their support systems! We'll see you there!
We are so proud to announce we are now offering mental health counseling! The Well in Mind Program is a free, confidential support service located at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL that we are offering to our veterans and their support systems. This can include spouses, children and family members but also is extended to significant others, roommates and other friends. Types of services we can assist with include PTSD, individual, marital and/or family counseling, depression, anxiety, parenting challenges, loss and grief, managing stressors, alcohol and substance abuse and many, many more. We are offering three free initial visits for one-on one counseling. If additional services are required referrals may be given or we may choose to extend the visits. To schedule an appointment please call (815)933-2240 and advise them that Buddy Check 22 has referred you.
Kelly Frey: President
Don Ball: Executive Director
Sarah Thomson: Marketing Director
Larry Regnier: Board of Directors
Jim Wasser: Board of Directors
Danielle Golden: Board of Directors
Working as a nurse, at a local hospital, Kelly was confronted with the lack of resources available to her fellow servicemen and women suffering from PTSD. She struggled with the continuous "revolving door" of hospital admissions, detox and drug withdraw. She knew the key to breaking this cycle needed to be aimed at understanding PTSD, n
Working as a nurse, at a local hospital, Kelly was confronted with the lack of resources available to her fellow servicemen and women suffering from PTSD. She struggled with the continuous "revolving door" of hospital admissions, detox and drug withdraw. She knew the key to breaking this cycle needed to be aimed at understanding PTSD, not the drug and alcohol addiction. Seeing a need, in 2015, Kelly formed Buddy Check 22: Veteran Suicide Awareness to provide sensible solutions by partnering and networking with veteran groups in Kankakee and Iroquois County. We've consistently grown over the last 4 years. All thanks to the helping hands of this amazing community!
Our service members face unique burdens of stress and sacrifice every day. Transitioning into civilian life can be difficult for many returning service members. The loss of military structure can cause returning soldiers and sailors to feel lost or alone. Some struggle and attempt to replace the loss of camaraderie or the rush of combat w
Our service members face unique burdens of stress and sacrifice every day. Transitioning into civilian life can be difficult for many returning service members. The loss of military structure can cause returning soldiers and sailors to feel lost or alone. Some struggle and attempt to replace the loss of camaraderie or the rush of combat with negative habits. Others find the hyper-vigilance required to stay alive in a combat zone now works against them. Unfortunately, far too many become victims of these hidden wounds. On average 22 veterans commit suicide each day. We at Buddy Check 22 feel that even 1 veteran suicide is too many. Our main goals are to spread awareness about veteran suicide and raise funds for veterans who suffer in the aftermath of their military service.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Phone:
Kelly Frey: (815) 214-8447
Don Ball: (815) 953-8543
Sarah Thomson: (815) 214-0378
EMail: bc22vsa@gmail.com
Facebook:
Dolores T.- Awesome benefit that helps our soldiers. Our government probably caused the issues now let us help fix them.
Veteran Crisis Line
800-273-8255
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
800-799-4889
What is PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an emotional illness classified as an anxiety disorder that arises from a frightening, life threatening or unsafe experience.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Re-Experiencing Original Trauma: Intrusive recall (flashbacks), intense psychological distress (anger, anxiety) when exposed to reminders of trauma, nightmares, insomnia
Avoidance: feelings of detachment, isolation or estrangement, numbing, lack of affect, depression
Hyper-arousal: anger, irritability, aggression, exaggerated startle response, impulsiveness, hyper-vigilance