In 2009, Matt Gibbons’ life was forever altered. Gibbons, a soldier fighting in Iraq, was struck by an exploding antitank grenade, costing him sight in his right eye, and wounding his arm and hand, according to the Altoona Mirror.
Along with battling physical scars from the attack, Gibbons had to deal with the mental trauma for several years after leaving Iraq, leading him to nearly taking his own life in the rugged woods of central Pennsylvania. Finally, realizing he needed help, Gibbons received treatment and is now helping other veterans through his work as a social worker for Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
On Sept. 5, Gibbons discussed his journey and chatted with fellow veterans interested in mental health treatment at the medical center’s Suicide Prevention Walk and Resource Fair, an annual event.
According to a report released by VA in December 2024, 6,407 veterans died by suicide in 2022, based on the most recent data. That’s 17.6 deaths per day. About seven suicides per day were of veterans receiving VA care in 2021 and 2022. That year, in the U.S., suicide served as the seventh-leading cause of death for veterans, much higher than the causes of death for non-veterans.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
After he was injured, Gibbons received emergency medical treatment, pulling him away from his comrades. He missed the camaraderie, the social banter, that served as a protective shield from the ongoing chaos of war. The isolation sparked anger and anxiety that Gibbons battled for years. Gibbons’ family, close friends, his VA care team, and even fellow veterans, couldn’t possibly comprehend what he had been through in Iraq. How could they?
He felt abandoned. He started hiding from people he felt did not care. Dark thoughts crept in. What type of person had I become? Traveling on a remote stretch of I-99 between State College and Altoona, Gibbons hatched a plan. He would pull to the side of the highway, unbuckle his seatbelt, and slam through an opening in the guardrail. His car would fall helplessly down a steep embankment.
“Lights out,” Gibbons said. But he would always catch himself and stop. He had too many responsibilities. Suicide would lump those important tasks onto others.
Knowing he needed help, Gibbons sought treatment from VA social workers. The positive experience led him to pursue social work, and his job is in the same hospital that once saved his life.
During sessions, counselors encouraged him to share his thoughts – even the darkest ones – to allow other feelings to surface. He discovered that the animosity he harbored for those feelings prevented him from truly understanding them. Once he understood where those negative thoughts originated from, he was able to “neutralize his bad feelings.”
As a counselor, Gibbons shares his battle with mental health to other veterans. Many can relate to his combat experiences. “(But) if it fails, try something else,” he said. “Tomorrow, we can work on feeling different.”
The thought of pivoting to other ways to address trauma took years for him to grasp. He was just 26 years old when he was wounded in Iraq. “I was virtually a baby,” Gibbons said. “I was trying to figure out a crazy and catastrophic experience.”
On Friday, he was proud to represent the VA, raising awareness for veteran mental health and trying to reduce the stigma that persists among former military members. Often, veterans brush off thoughts of suicide, believing they will never actually do it. Some might feel they’re not deserving of help, believing there are other veterans who need it more than they do.
VA has created a suicide prevention program with coordinators at the Van Zandt Medical Center who form local coalitions. Along with national and state resources, personnel, and veterans, the program relies on social service departments and other medical professionals.
VA started the program, realizing there was a need for better outreach to help veterans suffering from suicidal ideation. If it can prevent even one veteran from taking their own life, it’s working. “Two-thirds of those veterans dying from suicide were not enrolled at VA hospitals,” said Leah Hmel, community engagement and partnerships coordinator for Van Zandt Medical Center, who would like to see more veterans join the program.
The VA facility covers 14 counties in Pennsylvania and employs seven suicide prevention coordinators. With the help of veterans’ organizations, the program hosts educational events, including training on how to safely store firearms. “The goal of the program is to meet veterans where they’re at,” Van Zandt spokesperson Rachel Prichard said.
For veterans struggling with their mental health, help can be reached by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
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