Retired Army Major Gen. Mark Graham discusses his military career, his mission to prevent veteran suicide, and more in this week’s episode of the Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
Retired Army Major Gen. Mark Graham is a Gold Star father, mental wellness advocate and executive director of the Rutgers UBHC National Call Center. His commitment to suicide prevention followed the loss of his sons, one of which died by suicide.
“Depression is an illness, it’s not just a sad feeling,” says Graham, who is the special guest on this week’s episode of the Tango Alpha Lima podcast, where he discusses his military career, his mission to prevent veteran suicide and more.
Kevin Graham, a senior Army ROTC cadet, died by suicide in June 2003 while studying to be an Army doctor at the University of Kentucky. 2nd Lt. Jeff Graham was killed by an IED in Iraq in February 2004.
The Rutgers center includes the national Vets4Warriors peer support program plus 13 additional peer support helplines, the New Jersey state suicide crisis line, two National 988 Backup Centers, the UBHC Access/Transfer Center and the New Jersey state substance use and addictions support line (Reach NJ) connecting individuals to providers 24/7.
“I wish Kevin had someone to call, someone to talk to in the middle of the night,” Graham says. “I think that if he had, there is a decent chance he would be alive today. One phone call can make a difference. At the least, it gives you hope.”
Call 855.838.8255 to get free, confidential support 24/7.
Vets4Warriors hires and trains veterans to be peer support specialists who answer calls within 30 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “No matter who you are, where you are, when you served, what branch of service, active, Guard or family members, you can call 24 hours a day. And a veteran who is trained will answer the call.”
They will provide resources, consult with clinicians on staff, follow up with the individual and more.
Graham predicts that in December Vets4Warriors will have helped its one millionth individual.
As Graham notes, sometimes a veteran just needs someone to speak with in the middle of the night and for someone to listen. “And when that happens, we open a door,” he says. “There are so many organizations out there that are ready to help. The key is to get the word out. It gets confusing. Call us and we can help with whatever you need — getting enrolled in VA, getting connected with The American Legion to make sure you get connected to a post. …”
To honor the memory of their sons, Mark and Carol Graham established the Jeffrey C. and Kevin A. Graham Memorial Fund to provide the “Question, Persuade, Refer” suicide prevention program at the University of Kentucky. The Grahams story is featured in the award-winning book, “The Invisible Front: Loss and Love in an Era of Endless War,” by Yochi Dreazen.
Graham retired on Aug. 1, 2012, after almost 35 years of service. His final position was as the Director of the Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. In this position, he oversaw the plans, operations, and training for Army forces stationed in the continental United States and ensured conventional forces were prepared for worldwide deployment and combat.
Also, co-hosts Adam Marr, Joe Worley and Stacy Pearsal:
• Chat about first responders find support amid the massive flooding in Texas.
• Talk about a World War II pilot who crash landed into a field hosting a Nazi soccer match.
• The American Legion World Series, which begins this week.
• Wish a happy anniversary to the IBM Personal Computer.
You can also check out the more than 300 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.
- Tango Alpha Lima