Cuesta College student, faculty and staff veterans recently participated in the 22 Pushup Challenge - a nationwide effort to honor the men and women who serve our country and raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention through education and empowerment. With the help of these Cuesta College veterans, the college produced a video to spread awareness of suicide prevention. The video can be found on the college’s You Tube page or by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X1h411RlGs.

“As a college dean and as a veteran, I’ve seen too many people over the years take their own lives,” said Cuesta College Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Dr. John Cascamo. “The only way we are going to stop suicide is if we are willing to get involved. Getting involved means asking the question – are you suicidal? If the answer is yes, we have to be there with that individual. We have to make sure they get the help they need. Together, we can save lives.”

Cuesta College currently serves more than 250 veterans annually and has a dedicated Veterans Resource Center on the San Luis Obispo Campus, where veterans, reservists and military dependents, as well as prospective students with military experience, can learn about available benefits, connect with one another, and become active in other aspects of campus life.

Since 2014, Cuesta College has maintained its designation as a Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds. The Military Friendly® Schools designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.

Next month, the San Luis Obispo Campus will host Veterans Week (November 7-10) and offer a variety of events and resources to both Cuesta College veterans and those in the community. For more information about Cuesta College’s services for veterans, please call the Veterans Resource Center at (805) 546-3142.