First, the news. Then, the bad news. Then, a question or two. Then, Eureka! the good news.

Are you aware that September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month?

Are you aware that, up to this point, America’s attempt to stem this epidemic has largely failed? That neither the public nor private sector, nor even the military and Veterans Administration, has made a serious dent in this problem? Up to this point?

Perhaps, just perhaps, it is because they are not engaging with the true change-makers, America’s indie journalists, its whistleblowers – and, especially, its artists.

That’s why on September 9, in an all-day summit that we are presenting at Fordham University, academics and clinicians, veterans and VA staffers, are sitting next to people whose pedigrees are more grounded and able to “picture” the problem and its solutions in a different way.

Artists tell the story better than you can – it’s called Impact Awareness

One of the unusual elements of the Summit is a visual display of artwork created by, about and for the military and the veteran. In fact, a panel led by artist and veteran fan and supporter, Steve Alpert, will address that attraction. Here is one of his own that will be featured at the event.

One of the panelists, the legendary Hip-Hop photographer “Brother Ernie” Panniccioli, can attest to the importance of photography in recording history and inspiring people to thrive in an unfriendly world. A Navy veteran of native Cree descent, he picked up a camera once discharged to capture gritty NYC life “back then” recording the challenges faced by the city’s minority population…and became famous in the process and was inducted into the Hip Hop Hall of Fame in 2014.

On the music/composition side, former Army combat medic Mike Williams will introduce a song he wrote and engineered called “The Price We Paid.” Mike composed this song after connecting with a fellow battlefield medic, Michael Thorin, who has been badly abused by VA medical missteps, resulting in the loss of the family home and being chased by bill collectors. How to escape? Suicide. Of course.

“I had to put his story into words and music,” Williams said.

If you want to hear more such revelations, learn how to reduce veteran debt and reduce suicide in that community as well as for the public at large, we’ll see you in NYC on September 9, 2025. Check it out.