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Reducing Veteran Suicide through Education, Legal Support and Community.
Reducing Veteran Suicide through Education, Legal Support and Community.
Stop 22 in Action
Stop 22 reducing veteran suicide by building community.
Stop 22 will reduce the risk of suicide amongst veteran populations through three core paths:
(1) providing educational/vocational support through scholarships to accredited universities and trade schools;
(2) providing pro bono legal assistance including but not limited to discharge upgrades as determined; and
(3) providing a “safe” space for veterans to commune and engage in the support elements listed in (1) and (2).
Additionally, Stop 22 will coordinate with local mental health professionals to provide counseling services for veterans within the “safe” space.
Reducing Veteran Suicide Through Educational/Vocational Supp
How Does Education Reduces Suicide Risk Amongst Veterans?
Stop 22 will fundraise to support educational and vocational opportunities for veterans, thus reducing the risk of suicide. According to a 2024 article by HigherEd Military, higher education may help student veterans with stressors that may lead to suicide.[1] Additionally, studies show engaging in community, such as student groups/organizations may reduce the risk of suicide.[2],[3]
Why Do Veterans Need Scholarships?
Many veterans may be eligible for the financial benefits associated to their service to assist with education and training benefits.[4]However, there are many misconceptions related to those veteran benefits, such as it makes college free for the military.[5]For some, the benefit may have been used for undergraduate studies leaving the cost of graduate school to come completely out-of-pocket. Others may have elected to pass their benefits to their spouse or children, leaving them to take on debt for their own education/vocational endeavors.
Stop 22 is already supporting the Christian Lee Honea Memorial Scholarship Endowment (CLHMS), through the UMKC Law Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri. CLHMS was founded by Christian’s father, Eric L. Honea, a Marine, former law enforcement officer, and 2022 graduate of the UMKC School of Law. Eric founded the CLHMS in Christian’s name in order to support veterans seeking a law degree from the UMKC School of Law. Eric believes that by providing veterans with education and vocational opportunities, the risk of suicide diminishes through the sense of hope and community that comes through learning.
How Can You Help?
Stop 22 will continue to support the CLHMS while also raising funds through the annual fundraiser to support scholarships for undergraduate studies at various accredited colleges, universities, and trade schools.
You can support scholarships for veterans by contributing to STOP 22's educational fundraising efforts. Simply donate and designate your contribution as "scholarships".
Reducing Veteran Suicide Risk Through Pro Bono Legal Service
Can Pro Bono Legal Services Reduce Suicide Risk Amongst Veterans?
In 2017, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognized the relationship between former service members who received other than honorable (OTH) administrative discharges and an associated “risk for suicide or other adverse behaviors.”[6] Unknown to most, former service members who receive OTH discharges are by the VA’s definition, not veterans. Research has shown a correlation between OTH discharges and homelessness and further connection between homelessness and suicide.[7],[8]Further, loss of veteran status leads to loss of benefits and “significant social stigma and structural discrimination.”[9]According to the VA, approximately 85% of service members receive an honorable discharge designation upon separation, while 8% receive general, 6% receive OTH, and 1% receive dishonorable “bad” conduct discharges.[10]In 2017, the VA estimated that over 500,000 prior service members received OTH discharge designations.[11]
How Will Discharge Upgrades Will Help Reduce Veteran Suicides?
Stop 22 believes that by helping veterans who have OTH discharge characterizations receive upgrades it will give back a sense of identity and appreciation for their military service thus reducing the risk of suicide. Stop 22 will work in collaboration with other local legal referral systems to identify veterans in need of assistance with filing and obtaining discharge upgrades.
What Other Pro Bono Legal Services Will STOP 22 Provide?
In addition to discharge upgrades, Stop 22 will evaluate veterans’ legal needs request on a case-by-case basis and either assist with such needs or refer the veteran to an appropriate legal assistance partner.
Currently, the two primary referral providers for veteran pro bono legal services in the Kansas City area is the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation – Military Matters and Legal Aid of Western Missouri. With a veteran population in Missouri of 377,127[12] approximately 23,534[13]in Kansas City, Missouri, and over 200,000[14]served by the VA Kansas City Healthcare System it is clear that there is a need for additional legal service providers and referral programs within the Kansas City Metro area.
Stop 22 seeks to help bridge the gap between veterans in need of discharge upgrades and the current services available to do thereby reducing the risk of suicide. Stop 22 will also provide workshops on writing resumes and cover letters for veterans seeking employment opportunities in the Kansas City MO/KS area.
Reducing Veteran Suicide By Providing A Safe Space
Will A Safe Space Help Reduce Veteran Suicide?
Stop 22 will provide a “safe” space for veterans to commune in an effort to reduce veteran suicide. Social isolation is a common experience following a veteran’s separation from military service.[15]Social withdraw and isolation may often lead to depression, substance abuse, and insomnia.[16]
In 2024, the National Library of Medicine published an article highlighting the importance of social well-being in service members and the negative effects after separation from service that can lead to negative physical and psycho-social effects, and which has been linked to suicide events.[17]
By providing a safe space for veterans to gather, Stop 22 can connect veterans with a peer member to act as a “battle buddy” for accountability and connection thus reducing the effect of social isolation and reducing the risk of suicide.
How Will STOP 22 Provide A Safe Space For Veterans?
The safe space at Stop 22 will provide an alcohol-free environment where veterans can hang out, have coffee, play games such as foosball, table tennis, and corn hole.
Stop 22 will also have space available for veterans to meet with a Stop 22 volunteer to screen for educational/vocational scholarship opportunities and screening for discharge upgrades and legal services as may be requested.
Further, the safe space at Stop 22 will also act as a hub for veterans to meet up and take advantage of free shuttles provided by Stop 22 to court, the VA, or other veteran-related appointments.
When Will STOP 22's Safe Space Open?
Though our three core paths described above are equally important in the effort to reduce veteran suicides, STOP 22 recognizes the value of a fiscally responsible and evenly paced effort to reach its goals and accomplish its mission.
Therefore, for this year—2025, we will concentrate solely on our fundraising effort to provide scholarships for veterans undergraduate, vocational and post-graduate law school endeavors, and begin developing a network of Pro Bono attorneys.
Support Stop 22 Today!
Make a difference in the lives of others by donating to Stop 22. Every contribution helps us continue our mission of bringing positive change.
CRISIS HOTLINE and OTHER RESOURCES
Available 24/7 to offer support and resources
Please call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 988 or 800-273-8255
VETERANS CRISIS LINE 800-273-8255 or text 838255
MOCSA - Sexual Assault Crisis Line MO: 816-531-0233 KS: 913-642-0233
Suicide Prevention Support VA Kansas City - 816-861-4700, ext. 56958
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Donations may also be sent to by mail.
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