On October 17, the Robert Irvine Foundation hosted a “Breaking Bread with Heroes” event at Three Oaks in Lexington Park, bringing together military veterans, first responders, emergency responders, and law enforcement personnel for an important discussion on suicide prevention and mental health support. The event aimed to foster a supportive environment where attendees could openly discuss the challenges they face and explore ways to provide help for those in need.
Robert Yarnall, Vice President of Development & Impact for the Robert Irvine Foundation, emphasized the vulnerability of those in high-risk professions. “If you’ve been in combat, law enforcement, or are a first responder running into dangerous situations, you’re vulnerable,” he said. “It takes courage to admit we need help.” He highlighted the need to break down barriers to communication, encouraging people to ask more than just the surface-level “How are you?” and instead, ask the question that invites honesty.
Maryland State Delegate Brian Crosby, a U.S. Army veteran, echoed Yarnall’s sentiment, stating that support systems and open conversations are critical. “We just need to make a little bit of a difference every day to help someone get to the next day,” he said. Crosby, who served 10 years in the military with three deployments, acknowledged the difficulty veterans often face in seeking help.
According to statistics shared by the organization We Face the Fight, more than 120,000 veterans have taken their own lives since 2001, with suicide being the second-leading cause of death among post-9/11 veterans. Many of these veterans, particularly younger males, did not have a known mental health condition, highlighting the critical need for proactive support.
Yarnall noted the accessibility of firearms as one contributing factor, explaining, “Weapons are 90% lethal, so you don’t get another chance in that crisis moment. In a 5- to 10-minute period, rational thinking often slips away.” He also pointed to the stigma surrounding mental health and the fear that seeking help could harm careers, a belief that deters many in military and first responder roles from reaching out.
U.S. Navy Captain Matt Farr shared his experience of this stigma, stating, “If you’re struggling, there’s fear that you might lose your clearance or impact your career. For many, their military service is not just a job but a way to support their families and serve their country, making it difficult to risk speaking up.”
Kim Davidson, a 48-year EMS veteran from St. Mary’s County and one of the first medics to establish the county’s Advanced Life Support system, spoke about the profound mental toll on first responders. “I’ve seen tragedy in every way you can imagine,” Davidson said, stressing that mental wounds are deeper than they might appear. “Sometimes, it’s not about talking but about simply being present and offering company when it’s needed.”
As Crosby underscored, the importance of community support cannot be overstated. “We need to ensure people know they have a support network, and if they don’t, help them find one,” he said.
For further resources, organizations like We Face the Fight, the Robert Irvine Foundation, and Military OneSource are available to provide assistance and guidance to those in need. More information can be found at wefacethefight.org, robertirvinefoundation.org, and militaryonesource.mil.
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