Norfolk, Va. (WTKR) - A local group is taking action to help break the cycle between traumatic brain injuries and suicides, especially among veterans.
Cara Mae Melton is the co-founder of Heal The Warriors.
She sat down with NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo Monday following news that Ohio State University football player Kosta Karageorge had been found dead on an apparent suicide after texting his parents about his multiple concussions.
Missing Ohio State University football player found dead.
"It's very, very frustrating and it's scary because we are going to see more and more of this and that's what’s so scary to me. We have to do something , we have to get people to understand that this is serious," Melton explained.
Melton is a Navy veteran herself and has seen the vicious cycle play out far too many times.
"It's affected my family, it's affected my friends families, more and more the people we see – they are having trouble and they are thinking there is no hope after the injury," she commented.
Among the goals of Heal The Warriors - treating not just the service member or veteran, but their family members as well.
"When a warrior suffers from even mild traumatic brain injury so does his family or her family," Melton explained.
"If we can help to create that awareness now and get the folks in the early stages of that injury before it gets out of control, then we will really help to bring that suicide rate down. I guarantee it," she continued.
