Why 22 Push ups

Each morning on the ride we will do 22 push ups. The push ups have a very special meaning to many of our riders. The 22-pushup challenge began in 2016 to raise awareness of the estimated 22 Veteran suicides per day statistic that had been cited by the VA in its Suicide Data Report 2012.

The 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report indicated the average number of Veteran suicides for 2020 was 17 a day.

On our Navy ’83 Ride Across America during September National Suicide Prevention Month, we will do 22 push-ups daily in order to draw attention to the many suicide prevention resources available to end suicide among service members, Veterans, and their families.

REMEMBER: 988 IS THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE

Other Resources available.

• Don’t Wait. Reach Out.: VA Suicide Prevention resource website created for Veterans as well as family members and friends of Veteran.

• Ask the Question Toolkit: New Hampshire’s Ask the Question Toolkit was made for any organization that wants to support SMVF whether in New Hampshire or not.

• VA Social Media Safe Messaging Toolkit: A guide for anyone communicating and writing about Veteran suicide.

• VA Community Care Provider Toolkit: The Community Provider Toolkit is a resource for healthcare professionals working with Veterans outside of the VA health care system.

• AFSP-NSSF Suicide Prevention Toolkit: By participating in the AFSP-NSSF Suicide Prevention Program, you will be connected to a nationwide effort developed by AFSP called Project 2025, which seeks to reduce the annual U.S. suicide rate by 20 percent by the year 2025.

• VA Safe Firearm Storage Toolkit: Suicide prevention is everyone’s business: a toolkit for safe firearm storage in your community.

• CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means: This free online course focuses on how to reduce access to the methods people use to kill themselves. It covers how to: (1) identify people who could benefit from lethal means counseling, (2) ask about their access to lethal methods, and (3) work with them—and their families—to reduce access.