PITTSBURGH — Veterans, active military service members and community supporters recently gathered for a hike organized by a nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention.
The event was held on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail on Saturday and brought participants together to foster camaraderie and support mental health through humor and shared experiences.
Irreverent Warriors, Inc. organized the event. They work to support military members facing trauma and transition challenges.
The organization’s mission comes in response to veteran mental health statistics, including a 2012 VA Suicide Data Report indicating at least 22 veterans and military service members commit suicide daily, a figure widely regarded as an underestimation of the issue.
During the hike, participants wore military short-shorts known as “silkies” as part of the event’s tradition to foster connection.
Jarod Myers, coordinator for Irreverent Warriors, explained that the shared experience helps break down barriers among participants.
“We put silkies on people to kind of make them uncomfortable slightly. Because we’re all different, right? But when we’re all uncomfortable together, it makes us bond. And that’s what this is — bringing people back together, to have that camaraderie, be able to talk,” Myers said.
In addition to veteran hikers, the event involved local family members, friends and community volunteers who provided support along the route.
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