WE’RE ALL ABOUT THE OUTREACH – On the Move

N-CA based NVF Counselor Kathleen Reilly hikes as part of her NVF Outreach. A regular with Veterans Walk and Talk, Kathleen lost a brother, a Marine Vet, to suicide. “Being with others who have similar experiences is healing,” she says. 

At the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness” walk in Sacramento, Kathleen set up the NVF booth where she met local veterans and shared information about the NVF’s Lifeline for Vets crisis hotline, PTSD and suicide prevention. “I believe I can make a difference in the Veteran community through my own experiences.”

In September she attended the Women Veterans Engage conference in Sacramento. “Open to women veterans, active duty, guard & reserve, the panels really inspired me to push myself. Over the weekend I made a new Instagram account. I’m connecting with other families of Veteran suicide fairly easily, so I know I’m on the right path.”  Veteran suicide prevention is Kathleen’s new social media focus. “My kids are making reels on TikTok so my page will definitely look current. I wanted to make sure I could reach younger Vets.”