TRENTON, Ohio — An Ohio military veteran is taking to the streets on a 48-mile-long walk. It’s all to help cut down on the veteran suicide rate.

What You Need To Know

  • Army veteran Matt Wood is walking 48 miles around his Trenton neighborhood to try to help prevent veteran suicides 

  • For every step he takes, he's raising money and awareness for Mission 22, a program that helps support veterans through things like mental health services 

  • The walk is a part of Mission 22's nationwide challenge that goes through the end of March 

Matt Wood is filling his bag with about 50 pounds of gear, putting it on his back and just walking.

“I kinda got a lot of crazy looks from people, you’re carrying around a big rucksack and walking through a neighborhood, people just look at you differently,” said Wood. 

But he said the gear is all he needs to try to save someone.

“I’ve got plenty of friends who are veterans, and not a lot of times do they like to talk about it,” said Wood. 

An army veteran himself, he’s going on a 48-mile journey through his neighborhood in Trenton in Butler County. 

“Some days you do a 1.5 miles, some days, four miles, some days six,” said Wood. 

He's been keeping track of every step with his smart watch and using the miles to go up against a problem he knows firsthand.

“Sometimes when they think nobody is listening, unfortunately it comes down to the bad side and they end their own life,” said Wood. 

According to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of almost 17 veterans a day take their own life.

“The weight I carry on my shoulders is nothing compared to what these veterans have to carry every day,” said Wood.

He’s hoping it will help change those statistics. 

The long walk is part of a nationwide challenge for Mission 22, a program that supports veterans through things like mental health services.

His goal is to raise around $200 for the charity, but he’s raised more and keeps walking a little more each day in an effort to help other veterans walk through their struggles.

“Now when they see me out now that they know who I am, I see people smiling, I see people waving hi, that makes me feel good, it raises awareness for the mission itself,” said Wood.

The 48-mile challenge is going on through the month of March. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, click here.