The holiday season is a time for celebration, reflection, and worship, and it brings joy to many families throughout Nevada County. However, for many people, the holiday season can increase stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression, leading them to contemplate suicide. For veterans, national statistics show that 22 veterans are committing suicide daily, and these numbers tend to increase during the holiday season.
Raising Awareness
During the month of November, we lit the Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building and the Brighton Greens Facility green in support of Operation Green Light. Operation Green Light was designed to raise awareness about the unique challenges veterans face and the resources available to assist them and their families at the county, state, and federal levels. Additionally, employees representing Veterans Services, Social Services, Office of Emergency Services, District Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Department committed to doing 100 push-ups each day of the month to raise awareness for veterans’ suicide. Together, over 20,000 push-ups were performed to help bring awareness to the resources available to them in our community.
Resources for Veterans
The Nevada County Veterans Services Office (NCVSO) has multiple resources available to our veterans to assist them with overcoming the symptoms of their mental health. We routinely make referrals for free & confidential mental health services to the local organization Welcome Home Vets, the VA and veterans can be seen locally through the Citrus Heights Vet Center. Often, family members are also qualified to receive services to help strengthen the veterans' support system. Our office is also collaborating with the organization Guitars 4 Vets, who provide 10 free acoustic guitar instructions and, at the conclusion, receive a free acoustic guitar. Additionally, the NCVSO has collaborated with the VA’s suicide prevention team to acquire gun safety tags for any firearms when a veteran has suicidal thoughts. These are free and available without question to any veteran or family member.
The NCVSO encourages everyone to reach out to their friends and family that they have not heard from for a while during this holiday season. If you are a veteran or know of a veteran who could use some assistance this holiday season, please refer them to our office. It is important that during this time of year that everyone knows they are valued and loved. Check-in with those you have not heard from for some time; it could make all the difference for them this holiday season.
Contact David West, Nevada County Veterans Service Officer, at (530) 265-1446 or david.west@nevadacountyca.gov. The Nevada County Veteran’s Services Office, located at 988 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, is open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
