’22 in 22 Challenge’ raises awareness of the military suicide crisis

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club spent Veterans Day highlighting an initiative that raises awareness of the nation’s military suicide crisis.

Team players and coaches joined veterans and law enforcement officers at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns to do 22 push-ups as part of the larger program to help the Stop Soldier Suicide organization.

Participating groups choose an activity and do it every day for 22 days in recognition of the 22 veterans and active duty military members who die by suicide on average every day, according to 22in22.info.

“A great opportunity to give back and do what we can,” Centerville Police Chief Allan Ackerson said.

All money raised through the campaign will go to Stop soldering suicide.

“If you have a veteran who is struggling and thinks I should just keep it all inside, creating awareness makes it okay to talk about not being okay,” said Naomi Keller of the U.S. Department of Justice . “One suicide by a veteran or one suicide by police is one too many.”

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