Program raises awareness of suicide by members of the military
Veterans are at greater risk of committing suicide than the general population due to the traumatic events they may experience during military combat. According to Veterans Affairs, in 2019 there were 6,261 suicides. The suicide rate was 31.6 per 100,000 vs. their civilian counterparts at 16.8 per 100,000. Between 2017 and 2019, Orange County reported 121 suicide deaths.
To do its part in raising awareness of veteran suicide, and to say “thank you” to our military service members, the Newburgh Rowing Club, in collaboration with the United States Veterans Administration and others, has initiated an all-volunteer kayaking program through the end of September.
Willian Fetter, a member of the rowing club’s board of directors, said a number of factors went into the decision to create this event.
Fetter said the club has been thinking about expanding use of its facilities for a number of years.
Three years ago, Kevin Keaveny, president of the Hudson Valley Center for Veterans Reintegration, along with other veterans and fellow paddlers, built their own kayaks and rode them down to Manhattan to raise awareness of veteran suicide.
What really lit the fire, however, was a collaboration, this past winter between Matthew Healy, of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the Veterans Administration, to announce a collaboration with civilians to brainstorm ideas for public intervention programs. Fetter said he attended one of the meetings and something clicked in his mind that kayaking seemed like a perfect fit. He took the idea back to the Board of Directors and everyone was on board.
Each Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., veterans are invited to meet at the Newburgh Rowing Club Boathouse located at the foot of Renwick Street in Ward Brothers Memorial Rowing Park on the Newburgh waterfront. Veterans from beginners to experts are welcome to participate.
Volunteers will be on hand to provide about 30 minutes of instruction to those who need it. This includes learning how to paddle, maintain balance while in the kayak, and being aware of the river current. All equipment and radios will be provided. Fetter said it’s up to the veterans if they want to hit the water alone or go out with an instructor.
The paddlers are encouraged to stay close to the shore and avoid rowing into the path of a barge. There’s no restriction on how far the kayakers go; their only limitation being their personal capabilities.
Fetter said press releases, with information about the initiative, were issued to local print and radio media, as well as distributed to veteran groups in eastern Orange County. Unfortunately, participation has been sparse, but Fetter attributes that to the summer months and some lingering fear about COVID-19.
Although no literature on veteran suicide prevention will be distributed, Fetter said a rower, Clare Redden, is ready and willing to talk to anyone or act as a liaison.
The ultimate goal, said Fetter, is to provide a venue to help those who seek it, provide veterans with a distraction for a short while, and offer camaraderie.
The hope is to resume the program again next spring.
