Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

This year, Veteran Services at TCU raised awareness of veteran suicide through a static display of boots at Veterans Memorial Plaza located in the courtyard in front of Reed Hall. 

April E. Brown, director of Veteran Services and a retired Marine Corps veteran, said they moved this event from the Campus Commons to the Plaza to make the event more personal for veterans on campus and to honor TCU students who have died in service. 

Third-generation Veteran Faris Saleh enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2018. 

“I never thought I would be in college, but after five years of serving, I thought it was about time to come over to a new life,” Saleh said. 

After serving five years, Saleh left the Marine Corps and enrolled in TCU’s psychology program, pursuing a career as a mental life coach and physical trainer. 

“The Veteran Affairs program at TCU has helped exponentially,” Saleh said. “If it weren’t for Mrs. Brown, I don’t think I would have discovered half the programs that help us as Veterans or been where I am today.” 

In addition to the static display, Veteran Services hosts events throughout the year to connect veterans on campus with outside resources like the local Veterans Affairs Office.

The office held an event called Vet Connect on Sept. 10, where local Veterans Affairs personnel came to speak with students about the services they offer. The event was hosted in the Veteran Services lounge, which is a space for veterans to share ideas, experiences and support each other, Brown said.

“Recognizing Veteran suicide has always been extremely important,” Saleh said. “I’ve known the statistics that 22 veterans commit suicide a day, but I never thought I would be a part of it. I thought I had a solid friend group in the Marine Corps, but when I got out, it seems like every other year I get a call that I lost one of them to suicide.” 

Outside of the Veteran Service Office, student veterans can join other organizations for support and guidance, including Student Veterans Alliance, Veterans in Engineering, Technology and Sciences (VETS), Veterans in Business and Entrepreneurship and the Women Veterans Initiative.

“If they’re feeling lost at home, I’m sure there’s a veteran in their space that will help them feel like they’re not navigating this experience alone,” Brown said.