Courtesy of the Hunter Whitley Initiative
The butterfly print is the organization’s logo and is based on a painting by the late Hunter Whitley before he passed away.
This Memorial Day, Americans remember those who lost their lives serving their country. Hunter Whitley Butterfly Initiative It is a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of veterans’ mental health and provide support through community events.
by Initiative Instagram pageHunter Whitley was a Marine who deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021 to help with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country. Upon returning home, Whitley enrolled at the University of Alabama to study computer science. In November 2022, Whitley committed suicide at the age of 23 after struggling with mental health.
““We feel strongly that community awareness on this issue is more important than ever – the burden of mental health can be unbearable for families,” the initiative states on its website.
His family remembers him for his strong personality and love of music. The logo for the initiative is a butterfly drawn by Whitley. According to his sister It represents freedom and renewal.
“I personally want the Hunter Whitley Butterfly Initiative to represent change, freedom and renewal,” Hunter’s sister, Jonna, wrote on the initiative’s Instagram page. “Hunter is gone and I miss him more than anything every day, but I know he would want us to use his story and his death to spread awareness and hopefully help someone else going through a similar experience as Hunter.”
by U.S. Government Accountability OfficeVeterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide in 2021. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs The report said 6,392 veterans died by suicide, making suicide the 13th leading cause of death among veterans.
The nonprofit provides peer support to veterans, veteran retreats, care packages and educational opportunities, and community leaders can partner with the nonprofit to donate and volunteer.
“The role that families play as advocates and primary support systems during veterans’ transition to civilian life cannot be underestimated,” the initiative states on its page, “and we further that support by providing resources, education, and community to families and veterans living through this battle.”
Upcoming events include a Veterans Retreat June 14-16 and the Chasing Freedom 5K with a post-race awareness event in November.
Last year’s 5K race was aimed at raising awareness of the mental health crisis among American veterans, and the event, held in December, marked the launch of the initiative.
If you or someone you know is distressed, please contact the University of Alabama Police Department at 205-348-5454 and ask for an on-call counselor immediately, or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
