Mental Wellness

Our Impact

With the help of more than 200 VFW Posts and 13,000 volunteers, we reached 25,000 people through our inaugural Mental Wellness Campaign event. Together, we WILL change the stigma surrounding mental health!

Mental Wellness

A staggering 20 veterans die by suicide every day, and the VFW is committed to helping change the narrative and stigma surrounding mental health in America.

In order to raise awareness, foster community engagement, improve research and provide intervention for those affected by invisible injuries and emotional stress, the VFW has teamed up with the nationwide organizations Give an Hour and the Campaign to Change DirectionOne Mind, PatientsLikeMe and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to combat this critical issue.

 

How would you like to get involved?

  • Change the Stigma

     

    Change Direction Logo

    The Campaign to Change Direction is a national initiative to change the culture of mental health in America. It addresses the stigmas surrounding mental health and raises awareness about Five Signs that may indicate someone is suffering emotionally and needs help. 


    Elizabeth Dole Foundation

    Founded after witnessing first-hand the challenges facing the loved ones who care for our wounded warriors, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation raises public awareness, drives research, champions policy and helps uplift American military caregivers and their families. 


    One Mind

    Co-founded by Patrick Kennedy and currently led by a retired four-star Army General, One Mind is dedicated to benefiting all affected brain illness and injury. With its current focus on supporting those with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress, One Mind is fostering public-private partnerships to advance on its goal of radically accelerating the pace of brain related research and cures.

     

     

    Walgreens 

    With more than 8,000 drugstores and approximately 400 Healthcare Clinics nationwide, Walgreens aspires to help veterans and all Americans improve awareness of mental health needs and resources, break down stigmas, gain access to community care and provide tools to prevent harmful misuse of opioids.

  • Improve Research

    One Mind 

    One Mind is dedicated to  to accelerating the pace of brain research by financially supporting large-scale, collaborative scientific studies. The AURORA study of post-traumatic stress is one that we currently support that provides an unparalleled opportunity to understand and improve treatment for current and future veterans and civilian trauma survivors. Funding by the National Institute of Mental Health is woefully insufficient to conduct this study, and One Mind wants to raise $6,000,000 to complete the study as quickly as possible.
     

    PatientsLikeMe

    With more than 400,000 members, PatientsLikeMe is a network that improves lives and a real-time research platform that advances medicine. Patients use the network to track and share their own experiences, and connect with others who have the same disease or condition. 

  • Support My Community

    Change Direction Logo

    The Campaign to Change Direction is a national initiative to change the culture of mental health in America. It addresses the stigmas surrounding mental health and raises awareness about Five Signs that may indicate someone is suffering emotionally and needs help. 

     

    Elizabeth Dole Foundation

    The Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes campaign brings vital attention to the untold stories of military caregivers and seeks solutions for the tremendous challenges and long-term needs they face. The campaigns goals include inspiring individuals, businesses, communities, and civic, faith and government leaders to take action in supporting military caregivers in their communities, as well as connecting military caregivers to helpful resources and peer-to-peer support. 

     

    Walgreens

    With more than 8,000 drugstores and approximately 400 Healthcare Clinics nationwide, Walgreens aspires to help veterans and all Americans improve awareness of mental health needs and resources, break down stigmas, gain access to community care and provide tools to prevent harmful misuse of opioids.

     

  • Explore Treatment Options

    Give An Hour

    Give an Hour provides free mental health services to military members, veterans and their families. Give an Hour has been instrumental in the development of the community-based approach to addressing the challenges that face our nation's military community. 

     

    VA logo 

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides various services to improve the mental health of veterans. 

    VA Vet Centers understand and appreciate Veterans' war experiences while assisting them and their family members toward a successful post-war adjustment in or near their community.

     

    PatientsLikeMe

    With more than 400,000 members, PatientsLikeMe is a network that improves lives and a real-time research platform that advances medicine. Patients use the network to track and share their own experiences, and connect with others who have the same disease or condition. 

     

  • Get Help Now

    The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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