Army Sgt. James Vernier died in March. His family hopes his death can help raise awareness for mental health issues.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
Army Sgt. James Vernier died Monday, March 23 in Fort Carson, Colorado.
He was only 22 years old.
Vernier joined the storied tradition of the US Army after completing basic training in 2023.
Now, he’s one of the growing number of veterans who have died by suicide.
According to the latest data from Veterans Affairs, more than 6,000 veterans died by suicide in 2023. It’s a number that remains steady year after year.
“We most commonly see the issues of anxiety, depression and often trauma or PTSD affecting veterans who have served in a variety of capacities,” said Shannon Bruin, Regional Clinic Director for Thriveworks.
The mental health battle can follow military members home long after the mission’s over.
“They have really been taught to live a different lifestyle, right?” said Bruin. “A lot of times they’re living in a different country, and they experience a variety of experiences in which they don’t have the same everyday stressors that we might experience.”
While resources are available, many say more still needs to be done.
“When we can provide additional supports, we can better streamline these processes and get people into care in a more wraparound way, where all of their needs are met, where they’re feeling appreciated and they’re feeling supported, and they’re feeling safe, and I think that when those things are able to happen, we can mitigate the mental health crisis that we see in this population,” Bruin said.
Vernier was one such soldier, though it’s unclear exactly what he was struggling with.
According to his obituary, he was deployed to both Korea and the US Southern Border.
He earned his sergeant’s chevrons on Feb. 1, 2026.
To his family, he was a son, a brother, an uncle and so much more.
Vernier’s family oversaw the dignified transfer of his remains at a Michigan airport early Friday morning.
Vernier’s mother, Heather Vernier, spoke ahead of the flight’s arrival.
She spoke of her son’s life and said he grew up in a military family, where he developed a strong sense of service and commitment at a young age.
“We knew that he was having a little sadness,” said Heather Vernier.
“You know, the loss of two grandparents in such a short amount of time and not being able to come home was hard and, 22 [years old] being away and just going through a lot of that stuff, but you know, you never imagine that it was that level of hard.”
She says the family established the James P. Vernier Memorial Scholarship in his honor.
“I actually started a scholarship through the Mason County Education Foundation, so $1,000 a year for 50 years for students that are going to go into the mental health career field.”
Heather Vernier continues her mission to raise awareness about mental health among veterans by speaking with veteran groups and encouraging them to seek help if needed.
“Use your support systems. Reach out, you know, call, text, 988, there’s local groups, friends, and family,” she said. “Don’t ever feel like you’re alone. There are so many people that love each other, that love our veterans, just reach out. Don’t, don’t go through anything alone.”