September 25, 2021 – In observance of Veterans Suicide Prevention Month in September, the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Suicide Prevention Team and Richland Community College held the First Annual Operation Obstacle: The Race to End Veteran Suicide. This timed, two-mile obstacle course took place across Richland’s campus.
“VA Illiana’s Suicide Prevention Team’s collaboration with Richland Community College brings community awareness to the 17 Veterans who are dying each day by suicide and gives opportunity for our Suicide Prevention Team to make connections with the community, Service Members, Veterans, and their families. The VA can’t do it alone. We need our community partners like Richland Community College to help us care for our Veterans and to intervene when someone is in distress,” said Hannah Jordan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Suicide Prevention Case Manager for VA Illiana.
The event was open to the public with Richland students and employees taking part in the race and participating as volunteers. There were a number of physical obstacles across the two-mile course. In addition, participants were invited to compete in team events including Tug of War and a Humvee Pull.
More information on Operation Obstacle can be found here.
Below is a photo gallery from the event.
