MISSION STATEMENT
To create a community that raises awareness and combats suicide by empowering veterans, first responders, medical frontline workers and their families through traditional and non-traditional therapies.
History of 22KILL:
In 2012, the Veterans’ Administration (VA) released a Suicide Data Report that found an average of 22 veterans die by suicide everyday. The 22KILL initiative started in 2013, at first just as a social media movement to raise awareness, and later became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in July of 2015.
In 2016, as our push-up initiative (later known as the #22pushupchallenge) swept social media, 22KILL began its transformation from awareness to suicide prevention. By the end of that year, the viral campaign, and the fundraising that accompanied it, allowed us to donate over half a million dollars to sponsor other veteran service organizations.
In 2017, 22KILL began to acquire and develop traditional and non-traditional mental wellness programs, and now offers a myriad of services through Stay The Course, Tribal Council, Forge, Wind Therapy, WATCH, and White Star Families.
Our Purpose:
Restore the value of life by empowering veterans, first responders, and their families
Prevention begins with awareness. This means educating ourselves and the general public, opening up the conversation, and learning to become comfortable with the uncomfortability and fear of being vulnerable. By doing this, we can identify the often avoided or unaddressed issues that can lead someone to thoughts of suicide, and confront those issues as they come, rather than letting them accumulate into something much worse.
The next step is empowerment. One of the biggest challenges veterans and first responders face is finding a sense of purpose after service. 22KILL has built a vast network of organizations and resources across the country, and whether through its own programs, or through external sources, veterans, first responders, and family members can find services for mental wellness and empowerment programs to help them find or rediscover that sense of purpose. The other side of this is engagement. Often times one may come to realize that all they really needed was the brotherhood and camaraderie that may have been absent from their lives since leaving service. The 22KILL "Tribe" allows service members to connect with like-minded individuals and gives them the opportunity to get involved with community events and projects, and be a part of something great.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Become an advocate, register as a volunteer, donate, and show your support with 22KILL gear. Merchandise sales help cover administrative overhead, while donations go towards supporting programs and services for veterans, first responders, and their families.
22KILL is a registered 501(c)3 organization, donations are tax-deductible at the highest amount allowed by law.