The initiative came to fruition in 2023 after Air Force veteran and TPWD military and internship coordinator Nicole Mechler wanted to help veterans in Texas.
In North Texas, several state parks near Dallas–Fort Worth hosted hikes, or “rucks,” giving local veterans and community members a chance to take part without traveling far.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spent September connecting veterans to nature at state parks across Texas to highlight suicide prevention awareness month.
The department’s third annual hike brought together veterans to 25 parks across Texas, aiming to reduce veteran suicide by creating a supportive community-driven approach that combines outdoor activities and a network for mental health resources.The department’s third annual hike brought together veterans to 25 parks across Texas, aiming to reduce veteran suicide by creating a supportive community-driven approach that combines outdoor activities and a network for mental health resources. In North Texas, several state parks near Dallas–Fort Worth hosted hikes, or “rucks,” giving local veterans and community members a chance to take part without traveling far. Nearby sites included Cedar Hill State Park, Purtis Creek State Park, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Lake Tawakoni State Park and Cooper Lake State Park. The initiative came to fruition in 2023 after Air Force veteran and TPWD military and internship coordinator Nicole Mechler wanted to help veterans in Texas. “It’s something that I hold near and dear to my heart, a topic that I feel like sometimes we don’t talk enough about,” Mechler said.The initiative continues to grow as more people hear about it, Mechler said. It started with only 11 parks in 2023, but as veteran participation continued to grow, so did the initiative at state parks across Texas, she said “The goal for this is to get as many parks involved as possible, because we want to be able to reach as many people as possible,” Mechler said.Several organizations have supported the initiative, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Texas Veterans Commission, Blue Star Families, Military OneSource and Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Mechler said nature can be beneficial to veterans and the community’s mental health. “Even if you yourself don’t struggle, you could bring those resources to a family member or to a friend who may be struggling,” Mechler said.“When they come out of the military, they lack that feeling of camaraderie,” Mechler said. “When you get out, you kind of feel alone.”The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line: Grant Halliburton Foundation initiative connects North Texans with mental health resources customized to each caller. 972-525-8181 or Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas: Speak to a trained counselor on the 24-hour hotline at 214-828-1000, 800-273-8255 orTrayectoria del huracán Imelda pone en riesgo a Bermuda, y azota partes de North Carolina
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