Combating Military and Veteran Suicide: Chimney Trail Health Joins USAA's Face the Fight Campaign

The United States of America has the world's most powerful military force. Every day, these brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect our country. However, in the wake of two decades of sustained operations, many military veterans struggle with mental health issues. This has led to an alarming prevalence of suicide in the US military community.

Since 2001, the United States has lost the equivalent of an entire Army Corps to suicide.

That's 30,177 unnecessary deaths. More than four times as many deaths as were suffered in all military operations since September 11, 2001.

This isn't "normal." This isn't "just the cost of freedom."

To eliminate this national embarrassment, USAA has launched the Face the Fight campaign. Face the Fight aims to end military and veteran suicide. Chimney Trail Health is proud to announce their support to this important effort.

A couple of weeks ago, I was at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC for Face the Fight's official launch event.

The Chamber's slogan is "The Spirit of Enterprise" and at the event, that's exactly what I saw. The venue, the guest list, and the agenda pointed to one inescapable reality:

The problem of military and veteran suicide is bigger than any one organization or any one solution. This is a wicked problem that will require a "whole-of-society" approach. Non-profits, corporations, religious congregations, research universities, and government institutions must come together in creative and collaborative ways to achieve actual results. Solving this problem will require, a "spirit of enterprise."

If you peaked inside the event, you'd have seen over a hundred healthcare, military, academic, and civic thought leaders in an elaborate ballroom of stone, heavy wood ridge beams, chandeliers, and dining tables. You'd have watched Chef (Andre) Rush as MC, heard keynote remarks from General Mark Milley (the US military's highest ranking officer), and would have seen Elizabeth Dole sitting in the front row representing the Elizabeth Dole Foundation .

You'd have seen Patrick J. Murphy on stage with a collection of do-ers. Folks like USAA's CEO, Wayne Peacock and Humana's Bruce Broussard .

At first glance, you'd have thought, "Well, this seems a bit extravagant."

And then, the sobering reality would set in: The problem of military and veteran suicide is so pervasive that an operation this sophisticated is necessary to beat it.

Though it's a household name in military circles, for anyone unfamiliar, USAA is a Texas-based financial institution, committed to supporting veterans and military families in every way possible. Their Face the Fight campaign is one such example. The goal of the campaign is to eliminate half of all military and veteran suicides by 2030. To make it happen they're providing a resourced community where experts from all walks of life can come together to address the problem in a collaborative way.

As readers of this newsletter know, Chimney Trail Health is a pioneer in redefining access to behavioral healthcare. We're excited to support USAA's Face the Fight campaign. Our mail delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy training aligns perfectly with Face the Fight's mission of expanding access and removing barriers to mental healthcare resources. Chimney Trail serves as THE premier prevention tool for destructive anxiety and depression and can be easily adopted to support treatment of PTSD, unresolved grief, and other mental health conditions.

Partnering with USAA means Chimney Trail Health can expand its reach and capabilities, bringing its behavioral health care expertise to the forefront of the fight against veteran suicide. Teaming up will contribute to providing veterans and active duty service members with the proper care and support they need, ensuring they lead meaningful and fulfilling lives in the service and beyond. By working collaboratively to build community programs that provide education, suicide prevention training, and support, USAA's Face the Fight and Chimney Trail Health aim to significantly impact the military veteran suicide epidemic.

If you have the means to, I encourage you to make a donation to this vital effort. Click here to GIVE

We'll see you on the trail. Together we, Face the Fight!