Face the Fight®: Coalition Focused on Preventing Veteran Suicide

Military veterans embody the strength of our nation. And while the overwhelming majority of those who have served our country are thriving, we must confront the fact that more than 125,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001, a suicide rate that is currently more than 1.5 times that of the general population. Veteran suicide is a major yet misunderstood issue that needs greater attention and resources. 

The warrior ethos furthers the idea that asking for help is a weakness. In reality, it is a strength. Face the Fight (FTF) is overcoming that stigma by encouraging open conversation and expanding access to evidence-based programs that help veterans in crisis.

Face the Fight’s aspiration is to dramatically reduce the rate of veteran suicide by 2030. Through philanthropic grantmaking, a coalition and a robust public awareness campaign, FTF is taking meaningful steps to ensure that no veteran, military family, caregiver or survivor feels alone in their struggle.

FTF was launched in 2023 by founding partners USAA, Reach Resilience and the Humana Foundation, with strategic support from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The coalition includes over 200 organizations and growing, including such notable members as Lockheed Martin, Cigna, KMPG, Walmart, Wounded Warrior Project, Cohen Veterans Network and Vets4Warriors. 

In fact, Face the Fight collaborated with Starbucks to amplify VA’s Buddy Check Week, which occurred at the end of October and was a way to make a significant impact in encouraging valuable peer-to-peer connections through:

• Gift Card Donation: Starbucks donated $10 gift cards to Face the Fight, which were given to the first 10,000 individuals who pledged to check in with 10 Veterans during VA’s Buddy Check Week. Buddy Check registration surpassed 20,000 this year, a 400% increase from 2023.
• Training Support: FTF encourages people to take the free Face the Fight training and be prepared to support a veteran in need. Experts say participation can make a significant difference in someone’s life. This training equips participants with the skills to aid veterans in need, ensuring that more people are prepared to make a meaningful difference.

FTF announced a new round of nonprofit grant recipients focused on scalable strategies around suicide prevention. The grants total $13.9 million and fund 27 projects from 23 grantees in communities across the country; to date, the initiative has awarded $25 million. These grants touch on the following areas:

• Identify and support people at risk
• Strengthen access and delivery to clinical care
• Create protective environments

It’s a complex problem with many factors contributing to suicide risk — including financial insecurity, trouble finding or keeping a job, alcohol or drug abuse, social isolation and the challenging transition from the military to civilian life. These factors can take a toll and, without help, can have negative effects on mental health. Like other pressures on those who serve, this has  a cascading effect on their loved ones. Family members and caregivers of veterans who might be at greater risk for suicide often begin to suffer symptoms of stress and anxiety. The children of those who die by suicide are three times more likely to die by suicide, too. 

There are interventions proven effective at reducing veteran suicide risk and driving positive outcomes. For example, studies have shown strategies like Safety Planning and Crisis Response Planning can help by having veterans make a proactive plan for managing distress. These interventions have been shown to rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts and emotional distress, building hope. 

Because stigma starts with human thinking and perceptions, it means we all have a role to play in reversing the perception. Think about making a peer-to-peer connection, taking the time to learn about the issue, engaging with Face the Fight on social media and reaching out to learn more. Together, we can foster real, open conversations around support and hope.

There are further details on the Face the Fight website at www.wefacethefight.org. Follow Face the Fight on social media: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook!