Official: Military culture makes reaching out for help with mental health difficult

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that about 20 veterans die by suicide every day.

[Trump aims to stem vet suicide with outreach, local grants]

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors provides support for those dealing with the death of a loved one.

The military culture can make it difficult for those struggling to reach out for help, officials said.

"There's a culture of ‘suck it up, push through, don't get help,’” said Kim Ruocco, vice president of TAPS. “By the time that our service members are at the point where they're thinking about suicide, it's very difficult to help them."

[Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1]

In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at stemming a persistently high number of veteran suicides, urging expanded outreach by awarding grants to community programs.

[LINK: Mental Health Resources]

Channel 9 is committed to erasing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Watch our primetime special, "Charlotte's Hidden Crisis," on Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m

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