Matthew Patton Foundation

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We at MPF would like to take a moment to say THANK YOU to the veterans bowling league in Spring Hill FL for their $700 donation. It's greatly appreciated!

On January 17th, John and I were honored to speak with Navy and Marine NROTC students at the University of Colorado, Boulder about su***de prevention. Wonderful group of young men and women brave enough to serve this country up to and including their lives. The talk was well received with a potential revisit in a few years to talk with new students. We always look forward to these talks to save lives. Thank you all for protecting this country!

Please join us for an important su***de awareness and prevention panel. Details on our events page

We at MPF would like to create an in-service for civilian health care workers to help them better understand military life and experiences, so they can provide culturally competent care for our military men and women, veterans, and their families (SMVF). If you have ideas about what to teach civilians how you would like to be treated, please comment below or private message us. So many SMVF required care outside of the military health system and we at MPF want to help you receive care that is specific to your needs. Thank you!

Long post, but please read until the end.

Today marks 10 years since we lost our fun, challenging and risk-taking child, SGT Matthew Scott Patton, to su***de. Matt died May 13, 2013. What happened during those ten years? Well the first three were a washout as I struggled to stay alive, more so for John, Evan, Joshua, and Caley, than myself. I cycled through sadness from the depth of my soul to feeling completely numb and robotic. And still suicidal. During the next three years, there was some improvement, although,I met a some people who seemed nice at first and then not so nice. The pain from loss of a friendship caused a delay in healing for a few years. I lived one day at a time. It wasn’t until 8 years that I saw a glimmer of light. I started going out and laughed more. During years nine and ten, I was happy to be alive and felt joy in my heart again. I had come to terms with Matt and the BS surrounding his death. I am happy most days and look forward to living more life. We are having a gathering today to celebrate Matt’s life and each of our journeys to reach this new norm.

How did I get here. First and foremost I must thank two people, Dan and Belinda Formento, who were there for me every second. I would cry, scream, place blame and more, but somehow those two had me in stitches by the end of the conversation. Secondly, starting MPF, the idea of which had been rolling around my mind starting at five months post-death. We started small and I worked as hard as my mental health allowed. We grew and did more things that kept my mind active and purposeful. At ten years, I am healed by doing work to help SMVF improve their lives so su***de is not an option. I am beyond thrilled after saving 35 lives. Each save is incredible and I feel I am rich beyond dreams.

My military friends and families supported MPF more than I ever thought they would and we have so much more to do. I am so ready to stay on this journey as long as I can. Thank you so much to my family and my military family - COL Tim Leudecking (RET), Chaplain MAJ Jim, SGT Kyle Buckelew (RET), SGT Quincy Scott (RET), Marine Paul Carew (RET), Marine Dawn Schwarz (RET), Army Richard Hall RET), Navy E. William Rohr (RET), Keita Franklin, Wendy Lakso, Karen Dalton, Kim Hebert, Heather Viveiros,Emily Spence, and sooo many others. And John Patton? Without you I would not be alive. Thank you for putting up with my acting out and downright rudeness at times. You hung in there and love me even more, as I do you.

Life is good. I love and miss Matt everyday, but his death gave me a gift to save others who are in the same circumstance as Matt. What a great way to live my life…’Saving Another Mother’s Matthew’.

If you like to donate to MPF, so we can help more SMVF through the next ten years, go to matthewpattonfoundation.org/funding.

Funding | Matthew Patton Foundation You are hereHomeNational Su***de Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255)Military Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 ext. 1) Funding We can accept donations via Square, Paypal, or check. For us to be able to use 100% of your donation, please consider mailing a check as other payment types include overhead. Matt...

We are all aware of the su***de problem within our military and veteran community. However, how many of us are aware that in the Law Enforcement community with many veterans and su***des in this group are increasing.

This gentleman offers a glimpse into this issue.

Law Enforcement Su***de – Break the Silence – Start the Conversation Law Enforcement Su***de Break the Silence – Start the Conversation Defined as “the act of intentionally killing oneself,” nearly all su***des result from terrible mental illness. According to the World Health Organization, more than 800,000 people take their lives annually, accounting for one ...

Matthew Patton Foundation's GroupRaise Meal at Papa Gino's Commit to Eat in support of Matthew Patton Foundation at Papa Gino's on Mar 27

What a wonderful week we've had! Several months ago, there was an invitation extended from Florida Gulf Coast Paralyzed Veterans of America and Wheelchair Bowlers America to attend a yearly bowling tournament in Tampa Florida. Four of our board members were able to attend and are amazed at what these wheelchair bowlers accomplish! We met many of them and several shared stories of their experiences with us. Hopefully soon we'll be able to share a few photos. This was a reminder that no matter the level of injury (whether mental or physical), happiness is found in moments like these.

Good morning.

As you all know the Matthew Patton Foundation is dedicated to helping service members, veterans and others find the resources they need and to prevent su***des.

Su***de is still misunderstood and continues to have a stigma attached to it. What’s important is you understand that when someone gets to the point of su***de the world around them seems dark and bleak, it’s hard to see past the here and now.

Therefore the goal must be to intervene early on and help them traverse the darkness. They need to be reassured there is a wonderful life after this period of time … they just have to push through, get help from professionals, and begin to feel how loved they are.

If you are concerned about someone you love please be direct “are you suicidal” “do you have thoughts of harming yourself” keep them talking do not let them walk away or hang up when the discussion gets tough. You are their lifeline.

MPF is funding Flock cameras to help prevent su***de on the Mt. Hope bridge. This is a one year pilot program. We will examine the results at the end of the study to determine if they are successful at preventing su***de. In such a case, we would continue funding.

Mt. Hope Bridge to implement su***de prevention Flock cameras | ABC6 PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — Two Flock cameras will be placed on either side of the Mt. Hope Bridge, after a 6-1 vote by the Portsmouth Town Council last week. The town said this is to combat su***de concerns on the bridge. The cameras can detect and identify certain vehicles based off of their descr...

The Matthew Patton Foundation is dedicated to su***de prevention…. I will be reaching out to Lynn Patton to see if there is anything we can do to assist with this problem. This is a post I put in my Navy/Marine Corps Mom groups regarding recent Su***des on the USS George Washington. Let us know if you’d like to learn more.

Good evening ladies ….. so many of you may have heard about the string of su***des on the USS George Washington. This is not a normal situation …. It’s an anomaly and hopefully now that there is a bright light being shone upon it the situation it will make it better for everyone ….. this article is hard to read but also brings up the importance of protecting your mental health AND the importance of listening to your kids. I’ve reached out the Chaplain when my Sailor was in Japan …. His was medical …. If you feel like something is amiss trust your gut.

On every ship there are Sailors trained in su***de prevention that can assist…. There are chaplains, psychologists, and social workers on board.

Further, remind your Sailors there is a chain of command … but as long as they use said chain of command they can go all the way to the top. Tell them NOT to give up …. Find someone that will listen and someone that cares.

Also remember they CANNOT deny medical or mental health care …. If they do or if they try to punish one for seeking care they can file an IG (Inspector General) complaint.

Sending love to each of you!

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna25882?fbclid=IwAR2ua7InvCiqHHFyDUT4BX6HU_xO3dfIqDt6tSIbyojNgRia1Og7tFqQkDU

USS George Washington sailors detail difficult working conditions after string of su***des The USS George Washington had at least five shipmates die by su***de in the last year. Sailors detailed their struggles and the working conditions onboard.

One thing to remember about su***de is that many do not act on it initially … if you know someone that is talking about su***de or talks about how the world would be better without them … listen! Let them know it’s ok to not be okay …. Don’t let them shut you out … talk to them open and honestly and ask them straight up “are you having thoughts of harming yourself?”

Let them know it’s okay to seek help ….. often military members feel it’s not okay to ask for help. Let them know how much you love them and be there for them …. Listen don’t offer advice!

Good morning all …. Now that the pandemic is coming to an end we intend to become more involved in preventing su***de. Please let us know if there is something specific you may be interested in learning.

Very excited to start su***de prevention panels again with Paul!

ABC6 Honors Paul Carew He came back from the war to hostility and adversity here at home. His mission now, ensuring that no veteran is left behind. ABC6 Honors Paul Carew. Monday o...

Had a great day at this event. Thank you Kim Hebert and all who attended.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 includes language that requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to write off all copayments Veterans must pay for medical care provided by the agency. According to the law, all copayments for medical care provided to Veterans through the VA from April 6, 2020, to September 30, 2021, will be waived. The law will write off up to $1 billion in Veterans' medical debt. Below is the Military.com article for further reading.

The link does not bring you to the actual article. Please enter the article’s title into the search feature: COVID Relief Bill Waives VA Health-Care Copayments Through September

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