'Calling for disaster:' NC veteran struggling with PTSD sought help, but died by suicide while on waiting list

North Carolina has the 5th highest percentage of veterans in the country – and a growing number of them are taking their own lives due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

A group called Stop Soldier Suicide is helping active duty and veteran soldiers cope with mental health issues.

For parents like Kevin and Gay Murga, the issue hits far too close to home.

“We lost our son. Died by suicide four years ago, six months after he came back from Afghanistan,” said Kevin Murga.

Their son Austin was with special forces in Afghanistan. He sought treatment for PTSD through Fort Liberty's medical system.

His parents say he needed immediate help – but faced months on a waiting list.

"There is no re-integration program when they come back from deployment," said Gay Murga, referencing 2021 when the U.S. ended 20 years of war in Afghanistan.

“Every war we've ever had in this country had a draft! So how did our country pull off a 20 year war with no draft that involved multiple deployments for all our active military throughout all the branches," she said. "That's just calling for disaster.”

The military suicide rate is 57% higher than the national average.

“In 2021, we know that we lost 6,392 veterans to suicide. That number stays pretty static, but the rate goes up every year," said Hannah Hunt, who works for Stop Soldier Suicide.

Hunt says every year their organization serves up to 1,500 people, both active duty and veterans across every generation. Services through licensed therapists are 100% confidential and offered at no cost.

“It includes cognitive behavior therapy that's targeted toward suicidal behaviors and includes a crisis response plan for every individual,” said Hunt.

Gay Murga says Stop Soldier Suicide is working to provide much-needed resources.

“Anything that we can do is important. Austin was our only child. This is what our legacy will be," said Kevin Murga.

Stop Solder Suicide accepts charitable contributions. They also raise donations through their annual charity golf tournament – named after Captain Austin Murga.

People who want more information about the tournament can email Steve Rice, an event organizer.