7 Things to Know About the VFW Mental Health Wellness Campaign

Unfortunately, about 20 veterans commit suicide every day, according to the VFW. However, the VFW has linked with posts throughout the country, volunteers, and reputable groups to raise awareness about the problem.

Here are seven things to know about the VFW Mental Health Wellness Campaign:

1. Goals — The VFW wants to bring to the forefront the emotional stress facing many vets through community involvement, improved research, and intervention for vets and their families.

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2. Partners — The campaign has connected with major national mental health and brain injury organizations, including Give an Hour, One Mind, and PatientsLikeMe. Other partners include the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Campaign to Change Direction.

3. Reaching thousands — More than 200 VFW posts have joined in the Mental Wellness Campaign since its inception in 2016. Some 13,000 volunteers have made contact with 25,000 people for awareness and changing the stigma attached to mental health issues.

4. Peer-to-peer support — Vets can connect with others who have similar conditions, such as post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injuries. The VFW’s campaign connects with the PatientsLikeMe online network so vets can compare treatments and experiences.

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5. Understand symptoms — Vets can learn about indications of emotional suffering through the VFW’s work with the Campaign to Change Direction. The five signs include personality change, agitation, withdrawal, a decrease in personal care, and hopelessness.

6. Treatment options — The campaign can direct vets with mental health issues to various services to improve mental health, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides VA vet centers to assist in adjustment.

7. Help for vets now — The VFW campaign’s home page includes information on support, including contacting the Veterans Crisis Line, which allows vets to talk to responders through online chats, texting, or a toll-free hotline.

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