News Reader.info

The .gov means it’s official.Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely.

By James Branch, Public Affairs Specialist, VA Southeast Network

VISN 7 is leading the way in reducing Veteran suicide through enhanced community partnerships and using special-purpose funding to achieve the goal of no Veteran deaths by suicide!

In an important step towards enhancing mental health services for Veterans, several community partners within the VA Southeast Network (VISN 7) have been awarded funding through the Staff

Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP). This program, named in honor of Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox, who tragically lost his life to suicide at age

25, aims to provide resources to organizations that support Veterans in their fight against mental health challenges and suicide prevention.

Five grantees in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina will receive a portion of the $52.5 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to 85 community organizations that

offer upstream and innovative suicide prevention programs and services to Veterans and their families. Services may include baseline mental health screenings, case management, peer support,

clinical services for emergency treatment, benefit referrals, nontraditional interventions, or cultural and faith-based offerings.

“VISN 7 is home to a significant Veteran population, some of whom face challenges related to mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reintegration into civilian life,” said

Dr. Hugh Myrick, VISN 7 Chief Mental Health Officer. “With suicide rates among Veterans remaining a primary concern, the VA has intensified its efforts to build partnerships with local

organizations to reach Veterans where they live and work.”

The SSG Fox SPGP is an initiative aimed at addressing the urgent need for suicide prevention services for Veterans and their families. This program provides financial support to local

community organizations that offer critical services such as crisis intervention, mental health counseling, and peer support. The goal is to expand access to care, particularly for Veterans

who may not be engaged with the VA healthcare system but are still at risk of mental health crises.

“For many Veterans, local organizations may be more accessible than a traditional VA healthcare center,” Myrick said. “Veterans often trust these community partners, as they offer culturally

competent care sensitive to the unique experiences and needs of those who have served in the military. By providing grants through the SSG Fox SPGP, the VA effectively extends its reach

beyond its facilities, enabling a broader approach to suicide prevention.”

The five awarded community organizations have a proven track record of serving the Veteran community.

One such recipient is the Council on Substance Abuse-NCADD in Alabama, a non-profit organization founded in 1973 to promote the understanding that alcoholism and other drug dependence are

preventable and treatable diseases. Its programs and services are designed to prevent or delay the onset of substance use disorders and related behavioral health issues, educate the public

on substance use disorders and related behavioral health issues, and encourage/support proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and long-term recovery for individuals with substance use

disorders and their families.

Also in Alabama, the Southern Alabama Area Health Education Center, will use the three-year funding to provide outreach, education, baseline mental health screenings, assistance obtaining VA

benefits, and assistance with enrolling in VA healthcare.

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service is an agency of state government created to advise, counsel, and assist Georgia’s Veterans and their families in receiving their rightful benefits

under the vast and complex framework of veterans’ laws.

The Highland Rivers Community Service Board is one of Georgia’s largest behavioral healthcare providers. They are a behavioral health healing organization engaging with Cherokee, Cobb, and

Pickens Counties’ Veterans to foster hope, empower change, and enhance the quality of their lives.

South Carolina's Upstate Warrior Solution is another grant recipient that will use the funds to strengthen its outreach programs. This organization focuses on connecting veterans with mental

health resources, employment opportunities, and community support, all of which are key factors in reducing the risk of suicide.

The awarding of these grants to community organizations within VISN 7 represents a significant investment in Veteran mental health and suicide prevention. By leveraging the expertise and

reach of local organizations, the SSG Fox SPGP is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Veterans across the three states.

“This initiative underscores the VA’s commitment to reducing Veteran suicide through a holistic approach that includes clinical care, peer support, and community-based interventions,” Myrick

said. “With continued collaboration and funding, the hope is that these efforts will not only save lives but also provide veterans with the long-term support they need to thrive after their

service.”