Raeford, N.C. – As Suicide Prevention Month draws national attention, a local veteran is turning a tragic loss into a lifeline for his fellow service members. Michael Elliot, a 27‑year‑old Army veteran and founder of the All Veterans Group, has created a parachute program that helps veterans apply their military skills, build camaraderie, and find renewed purpose.
Elliot’s motivation is deeply personal. His best friend, Sgt. Dave Wherley, an Afghanistan veteran, died by suicide in 2013 just twenty days after the two launched an earlier parachute initiative. “Every day I walk in, I see him, I walk out, I see him,” Elliot said. “I know that what I’m doing, my purpose‑driven thing, is important.”
Veteran suicide remains a national crisis
Data from the Department of Veterans Affairs underscores the urgency of Elliot’s mission. In 2023, an average of 17.5 veterans died by suicide each day, with the highest risk among those aged 18 to 34. The VA recorded 6,398 veteran suicides in 2023, a slight decline from 6,422 the previous year, but the toll remains alarming. In addition, 471 active‑duty service members died by suicide in 2024.
Experts note that many at‑risk veterans do not seek help. About 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2013 had not received VA health care in their final year. Dr. Scott Klenzak, program director at Cape Fear Valley Psychiatry, emphasizes early recognition of warning signs: “The person might withdraw, stop returning messages, seem down, or turn to substances. Isolation is deadly – reach out to a friend or family member.”
Parachuting as therapy
Elliot’s parachute program offers a structured, adrenaline‑filled environment where veterans can reconnect with the teamwork and discipline they valued in service. The initiative now includes a traveling team of 25 veterans who hold jumps across the region, providing a safe space for participants to share experiences and support one another.
“This is a way to continue to write the chapters for other veterans, to see that there’s someone out there to care and understand,” Elliot explained. The program also serves as a conduit to mental‑health resources, encouraging participants to seek professional help when needed.
Community resources
Local support groups and counseling services are available for veterans and their families. The national suicide prevention lifeline, 988, offers immediate assistance to anyone in crisis. Elliot urges anyone struggling or aware of a veteran in distress to reach out without hesitation.
Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for veterans under 45, highlighting the critical need for community‑based interventions like Elliot’s parachute program. By turning a painful memory into a mission of hope, Elliot and his team are helping to change the narrative for veterans in Raeford and beyond.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
