St. Charles Resident Saves Lives by Building Hope
In 2020, Zoeie Kreiner of St. Charles founded an organization to provide support to Military, Veterans, First Responders and their families to overcome mental health and service-related challenges.
She was invited to lead the Kane County Board in the Pledge of Allegiance on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (1/9/24), where she shared her journey to create 'Support Over Stigma.' The non-profit organization provides life-saving outreach to members of the Military, Veterans and First responders.
Kreiner told board members that in 2019, while her son was deployed, she learned of the loss of his best friend, a 22-year-old Marine from Kane County, to the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Within a week and a half later, her son would lose two more people to PTSD.
We often hear the phrase “22 a day" which refers to the number of Veterans who take their own life each day, however Kreiner pointed out a recent Duke University study that indicates the real number is closer to forty-four a day.
Per a study published in the Military Times, active duty suicides alone are up 27%.
At its core, 'Support Over Stigma' has three specific goals:
1. Reduce the number of Military, Veteran, and First Responder suicides.
2. Remove the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.
3. Raise awareness in the community through education.
Since its inception, the organization has assisted over 25,000 military, veterans, and first responders and their families through outreach, educational programs, and direct intervention for trauma-induced mental health.
'Support Over Stigma' also plays a crucial role in providing support groups and educational classes, including those for the public, peer to peer mentorship, suicide awareness and prevention, post suicide support for families and loved ones, resource fairs, care packages for deployed troops, and a drop in center for military, veterans, first responders and their families.
As a 25-year resident of Kane County, Kreiner hails from a family with a deep military tradition, spanning from her grandfather to her son. She encourages others to join with 'Support Over Stigma' in “Saving a Life – One Hero at a Time."
For more information visit www.supportoverstigma.org
