{"id":4851,"date":"2026-09-01T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/vrcn-partners-unite-to-support-veterans-ahead-of-suicide-prevention-month\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T13:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:30:00","slug":"vrcn-partners-unite-to-support-veterans-ahead-of-suicide-prevention-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=4851","title":{"rendered":"VRCN partners unite to support Veterans ahead of Suicide Prevention Month"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With Suicide Prevention Month occurring in September, the Veteran Resources Community Network (VRCN) <\/a>partners are working together to help Veterans stay connected, find support and learn about available care.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

VA Chief Veterans Experience Officer Lynda Davis opened the session by reaffirming VA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s and its partners\u00e2\u0080\u0099 shared responsibility to prevent suicide<\/a>. She noted that suicide affects not only individuals, but also families and communities, often for years.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cVeterans need to know they have options and that support is available,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Davis said.<\/p>\n

Help Veterans connect during Buddy Check Week<\/h2>\n

VA encourages organizations to prepare for Buddy Check Week<\/a>, Sept. 21-25. The observance is part of VA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t Wait, Reach Out <\/a>campaign and gives Veterans, families, friends and supporters an opportunity to check in with the people in their lives.<\/p>\n

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This year\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Buddy Check Week resources include refreshed guidance, a redesigned \u00e2\u0080\u009cHow to Do a Buddy Check\u00e2\u0080\u009d webpage, peer wellness training videos and downloadable outreach materials.<\/p>\n

Bobbi Hauptmann, senior director of the Office of Suicide Prevention\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Communications and Actions Team, encouraged partners to promote simple, genuine connection.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cIt doesn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t have to be hard\u00e2\u0080\u0094sometimes it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s just a text, a phone call or a conversation at the coffee shop,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Hauptmann said.<\/p>\n

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

VRCN also announced its continued collaboration with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/a> Face the Fight<\/a> initiative to increase Buddy Check Week participation. Starbucks is supporting the effort for the third consecutive year by donating 20,000 gift cards for Veterans who complete the Buddy Check pledge and training.<\/p>\n

Connecting Veterans to care<\/h2>\n

The meeting also highlighted a VA outreach campaign focused on sleep and chronic pain\u00e2\u0080\u0094two concerns that can affect mental health and increase suicide risk.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Veterans Experience Office<\/a> customer communications team, emphasized that earlier access to care can help VA identify and address a Veteran\u00e2\u0080\u0099s needs sooner.<\/p>\n

VRCN partners can help expand the campaign\u00e2\u0080\u0099s reach by sharing VA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s sleep and chronic pain outreach<\/a> materials through their newsletters, websites and social media channels.<\/p>\n

Community-led support makes a difference<\/h2>\n

This month\u00e2\u0080\u0099s featured partner, Televeda<\/a>, shared how culturally responsive programs can build trust and reduce isolation among American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans.<\/p>\n

Televeda\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Hero\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Story Project<\/a>, a winner of VA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Mission Daybreak challenge<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Televeda co-founder Shruti Gurudanti emphasized that meaningful outreach starts by listening: \u00e2\u0080\u009cStart with what the community says they need\u00e2\u0080\u0094and build from there.\u00e2\u0080\u009d<\/p>\n

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A shared commitment<\/h2>\n

VRCN partners work together to share resources, build relationships and connect Veterans to care and support.<\/p>\n

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

Organizations serving Veterans, families, caregivers or military connected communities can join VRCN<\/a> to collaborate and connect more people to support.<\/p>\n

Veterans in crisis\u00e2\u0080\u0094or anyone concerned about one\u00e2\u0080\u0094can contact the Veterans Crisis Line<\/a> 24\/7: dial 988, then press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net\/Chat or text 838255.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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buddy check week<\/a>Suicide Prevention Month<\/a>VRCN<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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