Veteran Walks Across Country For Suicide Awareness

Like many others Friday, Roy brady checked out of a hotel in Jackson to start his day.

But unlike the others, Brady will not be going to work or visit family, he will be going on a walk, to bring awareness to an issue taking place across the us.

“Raising awareness for our combat veterans as far as PTSD, suicide, traumatic brain injury and to make sure they have better prosthetics.”

The retired gunnery sergeant is walking from Oceanside, California to Trenton, New Jersey for the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge.

He started his trek back in March and had stopped in Jackson Wednesday and Thursday to rest.

For Gunnery Sgt Brady, his walk to raise awareness for veteran suicide is not just a good cause, for him the issue is personal.

“This happened in my own household as far as suicide, as far as a veteran. My brother Major Brady, Army soldier, took his own life. A good friend of mine, Thomas Simpson, took his own life. I trained him in the Marine Corps.”

This is Brady’s second time walking across the country. He went from North Carolina to California back in 2015.

He says that there are simple things people can do to help a veteran who is struggling with PTSD.

“Reach your hands out to someone who may be having problems, let em know you’re available, that you can talk to em.”

And Brady has a message for all the veterans out there who may be dealing with PTSD and depression.

“There are other results or other things that can be done besides ending your life. You’ve done too much for this state, too much for this country

To see updates on Gunnery Sargent Brady’s journey as well as learn more about the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge organization, you can visit his Facebook page at Gunny Roy Brady's Walk- 4 -Warriors.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.