It has been a glorious summer filled with family, fellowship, and planning for the reveal of our brand-new video podcast set! This week, for our very first episode of Season #3 of Your Next Mission®, we chatted with Major General (R) Mark Graham, the Director of Vets 4 Warriors.

Mental health is such an important issue in today’s military. I’m sure that each of us have been dramatically affected by the loss of someone who suffered in silence. Vets 4 Warriors is a personal initiative that not only helps the military community, they also purposefully put Veterans in jobs within the organization.

During the podcast, MG (R) Graham shared that his own son, Kevin, took his life while in college studying to be a doctor. Although his family knew Kevin suffered from depression, they did not know how serious it was. MG (R) Graham made a promise to his son, Jeff, who later was tragically killed during a combat deployment, that he would do everything in his power to help combat Veteran suicide.

What Does Vets 4 Warriors Provide?

For more than a decade, Vets 4 Warriors has worked to provide a 24/7 peer support network to the military community. Their program aims to provide concierge service to not only Veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserve Service members, but also their Family Members and caregivers.

So many times, our military community suffers in silence, tormented from invisible wounds until a point of crisis. Maybe they are embarrassed or don’t have anyone to whom they feel comfortable talking. We have lost countless brothers and sisters-in-arms for this very reason.

Vets 4 Warriors aims to connect those in need to community-based resources. If a local resource isn’t available, they’ll continue to search for a resource that fits the need. The person you first speak with is the same person that will that you will work with along the entire process.

How Can I Get in Touch?

By calling 1-855-838-8255, you can expect:

• Immediate connection to a peer who is a Veteran or member of the military community.
• Someone who will listen and provide support.
• 100% confidentiality.
• Unlimited support regardless of the challenge.
• Continued connection and engagement until your issue is resolved.

This organization understands the power of communication and offers several different ways to get ahold of them. If you are unable or uncomfortable with a phone call, you can also chat or email Vets 4 Warriors to receive immediate service. Whether you served in Vietnam, Desert Storm or the Global War on Terrorism, combat Veterans will be able to speak to someone they can relate to.

If you know someone who needs to talk to someone or could use this resource, please pass along the information. Losing a loved one is terrible. Losing a loved one to mental health is a tragedy.

For More Information

Click here to watch the full Vets 4 Warriors video podcast episode on our website or on our YouTube channel.

Your Next Mission® video podcast, hosted by 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley, was created to provide a resource to help Veterans and families through their transition from military to civilian life, and to help educate America about the military. YNM has proudly covered topics with some incredible guests ranging from transition, mental health, education, financial wellness, the military family, Veteran Affairs benefits to numerous charitable organizations serving our Veterans and families, a Medal of Honor recipient, Veterans Treatment Court, extraordinary stories of war and eight (8) U.S. Army Installation Commands including U.S. Forces Command and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.