Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicide are all common in the veteran community. According to mentalhealth.va.gov, about 11-20 out of every 100 veterans (or 11-20%) who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom suffered from PTSD in a given year, Suicide was the second leading cause of death among veterans after 9/11, accounting for 22.3 percent of all deaths.

Raising awareness through the media

Air Force veteran, filmmaker, and mental health activist Steve Elmore tackles these pervasive issues in his Amazon Prime movie, upcoming documentaries same name, unspecified.

In addition to raising awareness of the pandemic faced by veterans, Elmore is advocating for hemp and CBD as a healthier and more effective treatment for PTSD and depression by increasing the knowledge and availability of such alternative treatments .

Ellmore is the President and CEO of a non-profit organization called The Unprescribed. Elmore founded the nonprofit organization to provide the following support to help the film reach a wider audience as a suicide prevention advocacy tool.

Unprescribed Inc. was founded on the principles of integrative medicine and full spectrum therapy (plants on a tablet). It is led by a diverse group of veterans, health professionals and subject matter experts who share a vision to save lives through the power of media.

The nonprofit aims to reduce overprescribing of drugs, which can increase suicidal thoughts, through natural alternatives like marijuana. Alternative medicines such as marijuana and psilocybin have been shown to significantly reduce suicide rates among veterans.

National Cannabis Day 2022

Now, Elmore is back at National Cannabis Festival for the second year in a row. This year, he will be a guest speaker at his organization.

this 6th National Cannabis Festival According to event organizers, the focus will be on celebrating the progress and legalization of marijuana and giving voice to nonprofits fighting to end marijuana prohibition.

“Last year I helped manage the veterans’ booth Balanced Veterans Network exist NCFwhich gives over-the-counter Some much-needed exposure,” said the independent filmmaker. “On the surface, it’s a movie about cannabis, but at its core, it’s about overcoming trauma and avoiding suicide. “

Ellmore will join colleagues Ron Milward, Cherissa Jackson and Dr. Lynn Bornfriend on a panel discussing the link between polypharmacy and veteran suicide on April 23 at the Wellness Pavilion at 6:30 pm.