To help promote a toll-free suicide prevention help line for soldiers, veterans and military family members, Discovery Communication’s Military Channel will begin airing a series of PSAs this week featuring numerous celebrities, including Tom Arnold, Cher, Minnie Driver, Omar Epps, Bridget Moynahan, Sara Rue and Steven Weber. The PSAs feature the celebrities discussing that they don’t know what it’s like serving in the military, but urging anyone involved in the armed services considering suicide to seek help.

National statistics show that on average, 18 veterans attempt suicide every day, and seven actually succeed. Suicides among military family members, who actively support soldiers, is also increasing.

The PSAs were produced by The Creative Coalition in partnership with Blue Star Families, which received support by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and Health Net, Inc. ‘Private Practice’ actor Tim Daly, who is the President of the Creative Coalition, directed the PSAs.

Robin Bronk, the CEO of The Creative Coalition, said “We are grateful to the Military Channel for providing a platform to allow America’s artists to bring a lifesaving message to our service men and women, and their families.” The General Manager and President of the Military Channel, Henry Schleiff, said the network “is pleased to partner with The Creative Coalition and Blue Star Families to employ the power of the arts to shed light on this crisis.”

Besides the Military Channel, the PSAs will also air on the Lifetime network’s mylifetime.com, Elle.com, MakingOf.com, as well on taxi screens in New York, Boston, Miami and Chicago. The PSAs may also be viewed on YouTube and the Blue Star Families website.

Written by: Karen Benardello