Over the past nine months, Russell Stafford has spoken with four local veterans struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Stafford, who serves as the commander of the American Legion Hughes-Pittinger Post 26, was able to help two of the veterans get through their crises, he said, but the other two service members ultimately took their own lives.

It’s part of the reason why the Powell Legion post is starting up a new veterans’ support group.

“I know there’s an interest, and I know there’s a need,” Stafford said.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, Hughes-Pittinger Post 26 will host the first meeting of “Battling 22.” The group, which plans to meet regularly, draws its name from older U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data that indicated 22 veterans and active-duty service members died by suicide each day. The Powell group aims to battle that trend, offering a place where veterans “can join other veterans and discuss topics of any kind with others who understand.”

“Because who understands a veteran better than another fellow veteran?” the post asks.

Veterans of any age or branch of the military are welcome to attend and participate. Stafford, who served in the Army, said he knows from personal experience that veterans “need places to go and talk.” Conversations shared at Battling 22 meetings will remain confidential, he said, and there is “no judgment.”

The local group is not run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and nothing discussed at their meetings will be reported to any agencies or medical professionals — though the Legion says the group’s facilitator “will be obligated to report any inappropriate content that is deemed harmful to the participant or another person.” A veterans’ center in Billings has offered to provide assistance in the event of an emergency.

The VA and public health officials also say it’s important to talk to someone “right away” if you or someone you know is in crisis.

In its most recent Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, released in November, the VA described suicide as a “continuing and increasing problem” among both veterans and non-veterans. In Wyoming specifically, the most recent data compiled by the VA indicates that 27 of the 147 people who died by suicide in the state in 2017 were veterans; that put Wyoming’s veteran suicide rate nearly twice that of the state as a whole.

The VA has made suicide prevention a part of its mission and noted in November’s report that “there is always hope.”

“No matter what you are experiencing, suicide is preventable, and there are proven resources and effective treatments for overcoming suicidal thoughts,” says a VA webpage dedicated to suicide prevention.

Among other resources, the VA operates a Veterans Crisis Line — accessible by calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1 or by texting 838255 — that offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In launching Battling 22 in Powell, Stafford indicated that the Legion post wanted to create another option for local veterans.

“A lot of the guys don’t want to get involved with the mental health system, because they’re afraid they’ll be put on a watch list or a ‘you can’t buy weapons’ list, or whatever,” he said. “And they just need a place to talk.”

Stafford went through suicide prevention training last year “and I also have gone through stuff myself,” he said, so he’s ready to help.

“If you need it, come on,” Stafford said.

For more information about the Battling 22 group, email americanlegionposg26@gmail.com or call the post at 307-754-3411. The group’s Monday meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Legion post, 143 S. Clark St.