The City of Moreno Valley joined the Veterans Supplemental Support Network (VSSN) for its April 28 Daisy Walk, a collective effort to bring awareness to the devastating impacts of mental illness on veterans and their families.
“The impact of mental illness on our veterans and their families is a devastating trend upward that we must work together to reverse,” said Moreno Valley Council Member David Marquez, who served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force. “We cannot sit on the sidelines and do nothing. Supporting the Daisy Walk is a great place to start.”
The VSSN Daisy Walk provided walkers a two mile and a four mile route with varying ways to express how service related mental illness has impacted them. Red daisies represented those who have attempted suicide. Gold daisies were for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide or the impacts of an attempted suicide. Blue daisies represented those who are willing to help and be part of the effort to combat service related mental illness.
VSSN works to combat mental illness, incidences of suicide and attempted suicide by collaborating with mental health providers and community organizations specializing in related preventive and educational programs.