A Hero’s Workout
Honoring life, connecting with others, bringing awareness to mental health, exercise, and suicide prevention through fitness communities.
The VA NJ Healthcare System In partnership with Empire Fitness hosted its First Annual Fitness and Suicide Prevention Day in Honor of Sergeant First Class Orlando Diaz. It was a day filled with speakers, remembrance activities, resources, fitness, food, and connectedness.
This community event is part of a program to increase local suicide prevention education, resources, and programs to veterans, service members, and their families. The effort is a part of VA’s ongoing Suicide Prevention 2.0 campaign. Over 428,000 veterans reside in New Jersey; Bergen County is home to more than 25,000 of them.
Empire Fitness strongly believes that exercise can affect mental health. Research also suggests that exercise can reduce depression and potentially reduce depressive symptoms which are linked to reduced suicidal ideation. They also feel fitness communities can provide relationship protective factors. Opportunities for members to feel support from friends and feel connected to others and their community. This connectedness may protect their community against suicidal behaviors by decreasing isolation and encouraging fitness as a coping strategy.
Carol Petrillo, Co-Owner, and General Manager of Empire fitness stated “our Veterans make the ultimate sacrifice for us, and we want to do whatever we can to prevent Veteran suicide. We believe these events will help bring awareness to physical activity, and connection which can help our entire community stay mentally healthy.”
Luanda Diaz-Santiago sister of Sergeant First Class Orlando Diaz and employee of the VA NJ Healthcare kicked off the program by sharing with the audience the role fitness played in her brother ’s life. Sergeant Diaz found connections and support from his fitness community during many difficult moments in his life.
This is why Sergeant Diaz’s family wants to create awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, and fitness. The family believes that a healthy connection exists between mental health and fitness. Luanda emphasized how physical activity can increase our energy and positive mood. She also noted the importance in seeking treatment and how both: therapy and the community connections which can grow in fitness communities can save a life. They hope Empire Fitness Gym’s efforts can raise awareness on mental health, and suicide, as well as reduce the stigma that exist with getting help and treatment. Emphasizes was placed on the idea that suicide is complex, and we need many strategies to address this problem. As a result, we must consider community, and clinical interventions to end suicide.
Veteran Marine Leo Berrezueta, speaker at the event shared his experience with transitioning from active duty to civilian status. Berrezueta highlighted this time was difficult for him as he began battling with mental illness and addiction. But then something happened, “he found fitness”. Fitness provided him with a healthy alternative a positive way to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. He shared that being able to connect with someone, receiving their validation, and support was crucial for his healing. Berrezueta believes that the connections formed, and the strong social networks built continue to protect him and his peers against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. He then shared that there is a huge need for clinical interventions in combination with fitness. Leo highlighted the importance of therapy in conjunction with fitness to improve his health and increase his coping mechanisms. Berrezuetta ended his message by declaring “I found fitness, and it will be a part of me until I take my last breath”.
Navy Veteran Edison Bastides followed with his powerful journey and message. Edison articulated why fitness is crucial to his mental health and a protective factor against suicide. He shared his mother died by suicide while he was on active duty. Her death was extremely difficult and painful. Bastides gave voice to how prior to his mother’s passing he believed those that died by suicide were “weak”. Edison believed his mom was strong and did not know she was struggling. A common myth that is also stigmatizing. Edison emphasized how her loss affected his point of view and his life. He has become an advocate for getting help, and a supporter for those struggling. Edison articulated this importance: “Checking on your friends and checking on each other” because it could save someone’s life. He believes that not only is the medical community responsible for reaching out to a person in distress, but we are also. We should not wait for those in crisis or distress to reach out. Something he practices daily in his Barber Shop. Edison a Barber and owner of Ego Trip Barber Shop in Totowa NJ, ask’s his clients daily, “How are you doing, not just your family, but you, how are you doing?” Edison believes we should reach out to others, repeatedly if we must. This can create opportunities for us to connect with those in need and offer them support.
The event program also included a Cross Fit Hero Workout created by Robin Jaramillo, Co-Owner, and Head coach at Empire Fitness, in honor of Sergeant First Class Orlando Diaz. Jaramillo shared: “When a service member dies in the line of duty, a CrossFit Hero workout is created in their name. Hero WODs are an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the fallen – to speak their names and honor their memories.” This fitness activity created an opportunity for all present to connect with others, provide support and honor the life of Diaz. Many participated including: Diaz’s nephew, sister, Bergen County Veterans, and community health partners. Mrs. Imelda Rodriguez-Diaz, Sergeant First Class Orlando Diaz’s mom also completed the workout, she felt compelled to honor her son, and announced “my son is my hero.”
We finalized the day with a food truck and opportunities to learn about the programs and resources that are available to all. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention NJ Chapter, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, NJ SOS Stakeholders, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Bergen VSO office, and NJ VA Health Care System Suicide Prevention provided the community with information and guidance on how to access these services.
Ariel J. Luna, U.S. Army Veteran, NJ SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group Co Chair, and speaker communicated: “It is necessary to engage community members in shared activities and promote healthy connections.” He asked for everyone to continue to spread the word about the help and supports available to the Veteran community. Mr. Luna also exchanged information on the Suicide Awareness Panels being held throughout the state. These panels serving to get Veterans connected with programs and services.
Deanna Brugger, Programs Manager for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention NJ Chapter went over the many programs and resources that exist, to support the county. Such as More than Sad, Talk Saves Lives, and their AFSP Walk. She also discussed the importance of screening and connecting the community with mental health services. Mrs. Brugger emphasized how the social connections that can occur at fitness centers can create a sense of belonging. Social support and connections are a protective factor against suicide.
Martha Rodriguez, and Jamil Lawrence members of the VA New Jersey Health Care System and Suicide Prevention team provided information on lethal means safety for suicide prevention and the Compact Act. The audience learned Lethal Means Safety is an intentional, voluntary practice to reduce one's suicide risk by limiting access to lethal means. Options for safe storage practices were discussed. Jamil shared with attendees’ information on the Compact Act. Bringing awareness about this act is crucial as it expands care for veterans who are not service connected at the VA.
The Empire Fitness coalition wants every Veteran, service member, and family to have access to fitness. As a result, they have created a scholarship in honor of Sergeant First Class Orlando Diaz. This scholarship will cover the first three months of their membership. They have already identified the first recipient of this scholarship. A female Army Veteran!
Empire Fitness is participating in the Ask the Question Campaign. They will also be trained in SAVE and will continue their work in the community, because suicide prevention is everyone’s business!
Please contact martha.rodriguez2@va.gov (mailto:martha.rodriguez2@va.gov) if your fitness community is interested in receiving SAVE training, gun locks, information on local suicide prevention resources, and programs.
To host a HERO Workout in your fitness community please contact