VRCN partners unite to support Veterans ahead of Suicide Prevention Month

With Suicide Prevention Month occurring in September, the Veteran Resources Community Network (VRCN) partners are working together to help Veterans stay connected, find support and learn about available care.

During the August VRCN Monthly Connect, partners, advocates and VA leaders shared resources, outreach opportunities and community-led approaches to suicide prevention. The central message was clear: Strong community connections can help Veterans feel supported before they reach a crisis point.

VA Chief Veterans Experience Officer Lynda Davis opened the session by reaffirming VA’s and its partners’ shared responsibility to prevent suicide. She noted that suicide affects not only individuals, but also families and communities, often for years.

“Veterans need to know they have options and that support is available,” Davis said.

Help Veterans connect during Buddy Check Week

VA encourages organizations to prepare for Buddy Check Week, Sept. 21-25. The observance is part of VA’s Don’t Wait, Reach Out campaign and gives Veterans, families, friends and supporters an opportunity to check in with the people in their lives.

This year’s Buddy Check Week resources include refreshed guidance, a redesigned “How to Do a Buddy Check” webpage, peer wellness training videos and downloadable outreach materials.

Bobbi Hauptmann, senior director of the Office of Suicide Prevention’s Communications and Actions Team, encouraged partners to promote simple, genuine connection.

“It doesn’t have to be hard—sometimes it’s just a text, a phone call or a conversation at the coffee shop,” Hauptmann said.

Partners can share Buddy Check resources and invite Veterans to take the pledge through VA Veteran Buddy Checks. Partners are also encouraged to promote the training and invite Veterans to reach out to at least 10 fellow Veterans during Buddy Check Week.

VRCN also announced its continued collaboration with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Face the Fight initiative to increase Buddy Check Week participation. Starbucks is supporting the effort for the third consecutive year by donating gift cards to the first 20,000 individuals who complete the Buddy Check pledge and training.

Connecting Veterans to care

The meeting also highlighted a VA outreach campaign focused on sleep and chronic pain—two concerns that can affect mental health and increase suicide risk.

Since January, the campaign has helped connect more than 35,000 Veterans who were not enrolled in VA care with healthcare services. Tim Hudak, team lead for VA’s Veterans Experience Office customer communications team, emphasized that earlier access to care can help VA identify and address a Veteran’s needs sooner.

VRCN partners can help expand the campaign’s reach by sharing VA’s sleep and chronic pain outreach materials through their newsletters, websites and social media channels.

Community-led support makes a difference

This month’s featured partner, Televeda, shared how culturally responsive programs can build trust and reduce isolation among American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans.

Televeda’s Hero’s Story Project, a winner of VA’s Mission Daybreak challenge, brings Veterans together through storytelling, talking circles and community designed programming. The program offers both in-person and virtual participation, along with portable Starlink kits (in select regions) that help improve access in rural areas.

More than 1,500 Veterans have participated over the past two years. Of those seeking additional support, more than half have been connected with VA healthcare or benefits.

Televeda co-founder Shruti Gurudanti emphasized that meaningful outreach starts by listening: “Start with what the community says they need—and build from there.”

A shared commitment

VRCN partners work together to share resources, build relationships and connect Veterans to care and support.

This Suicide Prevention Month, organizations can help by sharing VA resources, joining Buddy Check Week and reaching out to Veterans locally. Every connection reminds Veterans they are not alone.

Organizations serving Veterans, families, caregivers or military connected communities can join VRCN to collaborate and connect more people to support.

Veterans in crisis—or anyone concerned about one—can contact the Veterans Crisis Line 24/7: dial 988, then press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text 838255.