Face The Fight Initiative (Reducing Veteran Suicide)

The Robert Irvine Foundation's mission to support and strengthen the physical and mental well-being of our service members, veterans, first responders, and their families is centered on reducing the alarming suicide rate in this community. Our programs prevent social isolation and loneliness, which are both risk factors for suicide. They also promote connection, restore a sense of purpose, and build resiliency, all major protective factors for suicide.

In 2024, we joined the USAA Face the Fight Coalition and are now working with professionals at UT Health Strong Star Training Initiative to integrate evidence-based suicide prevention initiatives into our core programs. We currently have RIF team members trained in Crisis Response Planning (CRP), Safety Plan Interventions (SPI), Counseling on Access to Lethal Means CALM), and screening for suicide using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale.

The veteran suicide crisis has reached alarming proportions, with suicide rates among veterans 57% higher than those of the general population (FTF Website). Research from the Face the Fight Coalition reveals that suicide rates for male veterans aged 18-34 have nearly doubled since 2006. The Veterans Affairs (VA) National Suicide Data Report (2022) further underscores this issue, showing that suicide is a leading cause of death among veterans. A significant barrier to addressing this crisis is the stigma surrounding mental health care. Many veterans, especially those from older generations or specific military cultures, are hesitant to seek help due to fears of appearing weak or jeopardizing their careers. Additionally, transitioning from military to civilian life presents numerous challenges, such as finding employment, reconnecting with family, and redefining one's identity outside the military. These difficulties can worsen mental health struggles and elevate the risk of suicide.

The Robert Irvine Foundation’s Breaking Bread With Heroes, Reuniting the Brave, and Resiliency programs actively reduce suicide risk factors by combating social isolation and loneliness. These initiatives foster protective factors by encouraging meaningful connections, restoring a sense of purpose, and building resilience among veterans and their families.

With these funds, we will train a team of veteran champions to integrate evidence-based suicide intervention training into our core programs. Our objective is to educate 2,500 veterans and their family members in Crisis Response Planning (CRP), Safety Planning (SP), and Lethal Means Safety (LMS) strategies. Additionally, we will distribute 500 gun locks and storage boxes to reduce access to lethal means. We will ensure all participants can access mental health resources and crisis hotlines. Through our events, they can connect with other military families, building a supportive network of individuals with shared experiences.

The Robert Irvine Foundation is dedicated to reconnecting veterans, their families, Gold Star Families, and Families of the Fallen who have served together, helping to rebuild the emotional and social support networks essential for their well-being. Our programs are meticulously designed with comprehensive suicide prevention strategies to offer robust protection.

One of the unique aspects of our approach is the inclusion of family members, which is especially important for spouses who were not with their veteran during their time in service. Many service members return to remote areas across the country after separating from the military, often marrying individuals who only know what their veteran chooses to share about their military experiences. By including these spouses in our programs, we provide them with critical resources and the opportunity to build their own support networks.

Our team includes esteemed military veterans on staff, the board of directors, and our ambassadors, all of whom have personal experience with the challenges of mental health and suicide. They are committed to sharing their stories to help break the stigma surrounding mental health care.

Our proven track record with our Reuniting the Brave, Breaking Bread with Heroes, and Resiliency programs demonstrates our success in helping veterans regain their sense of purpose, identity, independence, and overall mental and physical well-being.

Below is a testimonial from a veteran who recently participated in a Reuniting the Brave event. It illustrates the safe and supportive environment we foster for open dialogue among our heroes.

“I can share a personal story. I reunited with a very good friend at this event. I had no idea he had thoughts of ending his life numerous times in the past and was very depressed before arriving at this event because of serious medical issues and the lack of support from the VA. He told me just before we parted at the airport that this event saved his life! Thank you, thank you, for your support! I love this man like a brother and am in touch with him daily, along with several others. His wife had no idea he was in such a bad place. We like to think they can handle the isolation and medical issues on their own, but as we all know, these kinds of events help and support us more than we know. He tells me and the others every day in our new messaging group how happy and grateful he is that we are all reunited. We are all planning to meet up again later this fall. Thank you for your outstanding support! It really does save lives. May god bless the Robert Irvine Foundation!”

Two additional quotes highlight the importance of why we include families in our programs.

“I would never talk about this anywhere else, but here, I have a safe place to discuss these issues with my military family, who understand what I am dealing with.”
-Gold Star Spouse

“I was not with my husband during his time in service. Meeting those he served with and their families gave me a wealth of insight and a new support network.”
- Spouse of a Veteran