A student organization is advocating for a film documentary to be shown on campus that focuses on raising awareness on veteran suicide and their families.
The film, “Project 22,” gained its name from a 2012 study done by the Veterans Administration. The study estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide a day, which is approximately 8,000 deaths a year.
“It isn’t just about the veterans, it’s about support,” said the president of the Student Veterans Association Denton Poe, a former recon marine.
The Student Veterans Association, formerly known as the Point Park Warrior Society, is a group of people trying to help their fellow veterans adjust to civilian life and give them the support they need.
The SVA’s goal is to spread information about themselves, and to have speakers and films played to raise awareness among the student body. The film will show challenges veterans face when returning home.
“The students did more for the veterans than the veterans organization,” said the vice president, Lynell Ogletree, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
After learning that both the University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University had plans to play the film, Poe believes that it should be played on campus. Yet with a budget cut to $238, and a licensing fee of $300, the project is up in the air for the time being.
Poe remains hopeful that the film will be played in the future. He believes the university should be able to pay for the movie, and with its airing, “…it could bring in a bigger pool of empathy,” towards the veterans both in and out of the University.
The organization also has a variety of ideas for Veterans Day. They plan on creating posters with “11 hour, 11 day and 11 month” printed on them. They also plan to hang up a banner in the library and West Penn to inform the student body of the date.
Point Park is the only university in the area that walks in the Veterans Day parade, which travels past the campus. The organization hopes to have a better understanding of veteran suicide spread around the campus by following through with this plan.
By November, a speaker is anticipated to arrive on campus. The SVA plans on having its budget solidified before then, and wishes to be able to hold a variety of different events to help and inform others.
“If you want to be a member, then sign up by all means,” Poe said.
The SVA holds meetings on the second floor of the Student Center in the veterans and military lounge. Meetings take place Thursdays on a bi-weekly basis. Currently, they are looking for members to join, veterans and regular students alike.
