Military suicide: Statewide media coverage model

Former Army MP Kevin Lapointe is receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries linked to his military service in Iraq. "The anger has totally decreased," he said of one disturbing symptom. "I'm more approachable and reachable." /Don Himsel photo, nashuatelegraph.com

Veterans Day is a month away.

Media challenge: Present a couple stories that could save thousands of military community members' lives now and in the years ahead.

Professional proviso: Despite my old-school, competitive journalism instincts, I'm not only sharing this story weeks before publication, but also urging my journalism colleagues to take on this topic.

N.H. Military Suicide Media Project

Objectives: 

• In-depth, statewide analysis of New Hampshire's suicide prevention services for active-duty armed services members and veterans
• Assessment of the complex set of factors that are inhibiting treatment for armed service members and veterans at risk of suicide

Nutgraph: While there are commonalities in instances of suicide in the U.S. military community nationally, research indicates there is a unique set of circumstances in most states that should be driving the agenda for how this problem is addressed. Particularly when it comes to the cases of PTSD and/or TBI prevalent in the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, psychological illnesses are treatable in the majority of cases and suicide is a misguided permanent solution to a temporary problem.

MILITARY SUICIDE - PORTSMOUTH HERALD STORY BUDGET

Day 1: Military suicide profile

• Army Spec. Christopher Journeau of Hampton, N.H., an Iraq War combat veteran who had his name added to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Hampton on Sept. 11. Journeau received a PTSD diagnosis from the Army soon after returning from Iraq. He committed suicide less than six months after leaving the Army in 2010.
• Closing portion of profile relates the perspective of loved ones on the circumstances and contributing factors to Journeau’s suicide. His family’s tragedy provides insight into warning signs, situations that elevate suicide risk, and missed opportunities to intervene.

Day 2: Military suicide prevention in N.H. (Embargoed until Sunday, Nov. 10)

• Two key questions: (1) What is being done to serve active-duty armed service members and veterans who are at risk of suicide, focusing on N.H. Guard and the VA, civilian agencies, employers and community groups; (2) What is inhibiting N.H. active-duty armed services members and veterans who are at risk of suicide from getting treatment
• Gaps where military community members are falling through the mental-health safety net
• What more can be done?

Day 2 Graphics

-         “Getting Help” and “Getting Involved” factboxes

-         Depression primer: Symptoms and treatment options/resources

-         PTSD primer: Symptoms and treatment options/resources

-         TBI primer: Symptoms and treatment options/resources

-         Map showing geographic distribution of N.H. PTSD-affected veteran population

-         Key statistics such as the U.S. Army setting active-duty suicide record in 2012

Media Partners
Print: Newspaper partners write their own Day 1 profile, then pick up Day 2, statewide coverage
Online: Repackage newspaper content for online publication and produce original content
Broadcast: Military suicide profile, and/or examining gap between suicide prevention services and military community members who need services, and/or interviews with experts

VETERANS CRISIS HOTLINE
800-273-TALK (8255)
Press 1 for veterans