Author: Major General Mark Graham (Retired), Executive Director, Vets4Warriors®
As fall and the holidays approach, many Veterans face unique challenges like shorter days, financial stress, and feelings of isolation, which can lead to anxiety or depression. If left unchecked, these feelings can become a crisis, which is why peer support, especially during VA’s National Buddy Check Week, is so important.
At Vets4Warriors®, we offer 24/7 confidential peer support year-round to make sure no Veteran, service member or family member feels alone. Since we started, we’ve made over 900,000 connections, helping people before their challenges turn into crises. Last year, more than 8,500 reached out to us for the first time averaging 24 each day, one per hour.
What is Vets4Warriors®?
Vets4Warriors® is the leading 24/7 military peer support network in the nation, housed at the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care National Call Center. Our team is largely composed of Veterans who understand the struggles faced by their fellow service members and are committed to helping them navigate life’s challenges. Every interaction is 100% confidential, providing a safe space to speak openly about any issue, large or small.
Our Role in the “Buddy Check” Initiative
VA’s National Buddy Checks initiative encourages Veterans to regularly check in on each other, offering support and solidarity. At Vets4Warriors®, this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. Our tag line is “Discover the Power of Connection” and our trained peer specialists, many of whom have overcome their own struggles, are always ready to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support. Unlike a single phone call, we remain engaged, offering continuous support until each individual feels ready to move forward.
The Buddy Check initiative amplifies our efforts, especially during National Buddy Check Week from Oct. 21–25, 2024. Our commitment aligns perfectly with VA’s mission to create a network of Veterans helping Veterans. We know firsthand that a call to a friend or a peer can have a profound impact.
How Peer Support Works
When a Veteran reaches out to Vets4Warriors®, they’re not just talking to someone who’s trained to listen—they’re connecting with someone who’s been there. Our peer specialists provide practical guidance based on shared experiences, helping Veterans find solutions tailored to their specific challenges. Whether the need is emotional, social, or logistical, we understand the complexities of military and post-military life and are ready to help navigate them.
As one of our organization’s ambassadors shared: “I know how it is to not have anybody, or people who understand what you’re going through. I want other Veterans to know they are not alone. We are here for each other and support each other.”
Many Vets4Warriors® ambassadors are not only advocates but individuals who have often walked the same paths and emerged stronger, ready to extend a hand to others.
Vets4Warriors® Ambassador Program: Expanding Our Reach
Our Ambassador Program helps Vets4Warriors® reach more Veterans and family members by using a network of over 650 volunteers across the country, many of whom have personally benefited from our services. With support from the Wounded Warrior Project®, our ambassadors help to educate their communities about our peer support services so Veterans can make a connection before their challenges become crises. Their involvement helps to ensure that no one falls through the cracks.
During VA’s National Buddy Check Week, we’re encouraging our ambassadors to pledge to check in on 10 fellow Veterans and spread the word about this important VA initiative in their communities along with Vets4Warriors®.
One ambassador explained her motivation for getting involved, “I’ve been down a rough road, and I know my recovery has brightened other Vets’ lives. When I hear Veterans thanking me for sharing resources that helped them, it brings me so much joy and happiness.”
Connect with Us
If you want to speak with a peer, call Vets4Warriors® at 1-855-838-8255, or chat online by visiting www.Vets4Warriors.com. We’re available 24/7, every day of the year.
Interested in becoming a Vets4Warriors® Ambassador? Learn more here.
Remember, a simple check-in could make all the difference. Join us and the VA in promoting VA’s Veteran Buddy Check Week from Oct. 21–25, 2024, and let’s make sure no one in our military community ever feels alone.
