JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville is hosting its second annual Veterans Matter event on Sept. 11 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena downtown.
The event serves as a one-stop shop for veterans, their families, caregivers, and friends to access a wide range of services and resources.
Kathryn Sperry, Suicide Prevention Program Supervisor for the Department of Veterans Affairs of North Florida and South Georgia, said the event will feature more than 90 community providers.
“We will have everything from eligibility and enrollment to the Veterans Benefits Administration there to help with any claims that veterans may have. We will be having primary care, mental health in over 90 different community providers that will be there.”
Dr. George Shorter, Associate Chief of Mental Health, emphasized the importance of community involvement in preventing veteran suicide.
“One degree of separation really gets people talking about what creates the sort of circumstances for suicide and how we, all of us health providers, suicide prevention experts and just community members, veterans, family members, how we can all participate in stopping suicides from happening in our community.”
The event will also use comedy as a tool to engage attendees on the serious topic of suicide prevention. “Comedy is a way to get people’s attention. It’s a method to get to their heart. To get them engaged,” Dr. Shorter explained.
“All of our veterans, families, and caregivers will be met by the Jags mascot, the cheerleaders, and the drumline out front,” Sperry said.
The event will also feature live music by the City Brass quartet and catered sweet treats for attendees.
Sperry stressed that the event is about more than mental health. “We’re going to have resources about housing assistance, health insurance, and just anything that is veteran-focused that would help support them.”
Veterans Matter will take place on September 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Jacksonville.
If you want to see the full interview with Kathryn Sperry and Dr. George Shorter, tune in to This Week in Jacksonville, Sunday morning at 9 a.m.
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