In times of emotional turmoil following military deployments, veterans often seek solace in the understanding of their peers who have shared similar experiences. Frank Schupp, a former Army combat medic known as “Doc,” found solace in connecting with a fellow veteran who comprehended the depth of his emotional struggles. Schupp, who served in the U.S. military for 13 years, did not need to explain his feelings of depression to his fellow veteran, as they both understood the unique challenges they faced. This sense of camaraderie and understanding among veterans can be a lifeline, as Schupp now serves as the outreach director at New Jersey Veterans Network, emphasizing the value of a supportive community.
Recognizing the significance of such peer support, a new mental health first-aid program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and developed with the expertise of the New Jersey Hospital Association and the Mental Health Association of New Jersey, aims to expand access to this vital resource. Launched recently, this program seeks to equip members of faith-based organizations, community groups, and others who interact with veterans, service members, and their families at the local level with the knowledge to identify signs of distress and connect individuals with the necessary support services.
The Mental Health First Aid program complements existing services provided to veterans in New Jersey, responding to a pressing need. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among veterans is 57.3% higher than among nonveteran adults nationwide.
Support programs like these extend beyond mental health concerns. Veterans often miss the sense of camaraderie and purpose that military service provided. Mark Graham, a retired Army major general and executive director of the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care National Call Center and Vets4Warriors, underscores the importance of support before a crisis emerges. Vets4Warriors offers peer support 24/7 to military community members through phone, chat, and email.
The Mental Health First Aid training program aims to empower participants to recognize risk factors for various mental health problems, including identifying signs of mental and physical trauma in veterans, current service members, and their families. It also provides tools to combat the stigma associated with mental health and guidance on reaching out to individuals who may suffer in silence and be reluctant to seek help.
Kerry McKean Kelly, vice president of communications and member services at the New Jersey Hospital Association, one of the organizations collaborating with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on the program’s implementation, emphasizes the importance of participants feeling confident in knowing what to say and how to connect individuals with services when they encounter veterans or family members in need. In 2020, 6,146 veterans died by suicide across the United States, according to the CDC, with 58 of those cases reported in New Jersey by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
State officials have allocated $200,000 in funding from last year’s state budget to support this program, with plans to conduct two eight-hour training sessions in all 21 counties over the next year. As of August 23, up to 270 individuals had already enrolled in the first night of training, according to Mary Ditri of the New Jersey Hospital Association. The program is open to all interested participants.
This training initiative is part of the “Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families,” established in 2020 to prevent suicides in these communities and enhance their access to support services before reaching a crisis point. The plan also aims to limit access to lethal means during periods of crisis to increase the likelihood of delaying a suicide attempt or survival.
Vincent Solomeno III, deputy commissioner at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, highlights the significance of including families in these efforts, acknowledging that they have often been overlooked in the past. The comprehensive approach of the Governor’s Challenge reflects a nationwide commitment to honoring the service of military members and veterans by providing them with the tools and support needed to navigate challenging moments in their journey.
New Jersey’s existing network of veterans services includes post-traumatic stress counseling services, telehealth support provided in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic, and the Vet2Vet hotline, which operates 24/7 to connect veterans, their families, and caregivers to essential services.
Michael Boll, president of the New Jersey Veterans Network, views the mental health first-aid training as an opportunity for the state to demonstrate its commitment to assisting veterans and their families during difficult times. He hopes these efforts will contribute to lowering the suicide rate among veterans in the near future.