Albany County program aims to help prevent veteran suicides

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Military veterans are at higher risk for suicide compared to people who have not served. Leaders in Albany County are taking steps to try and give veterans more support.

The county's Veterans Service Bureau launched a new program called March On. It will be overseen by a peer case manager, who will help connect veterans with physical and mental health treatment, resources for finding housing, and more.

The case manager will have close ties to the veteran community and understand the unique challenges they face.

"That case manager can sit down and say, 'What is it that you're lacking in your life?' Maybe we need to connect them to some canine or equine services. Maybe we can have a real nice conversation, not rushed, about the benefits of seeking behavioral health treatment," Albany County Veterans Service Bureau Dir. Scott Leslie said.

The program will also provide mental health first aid training to first responders.