September 2024
Veterans remain at elevated risk for suicide. That’s why Arizona is taking significant steps to address veteran suicide prevention through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP), which provides resources for community-based efforts aimed at reducing suicide among veterans. The distribution of these grants is part of the VA’s national strategy for preventing veteran suicide.
Together with the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, the Arizona Coalition for Military Families is working to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families are aware of and connected to resources and support. Two programs that are funded by the SSG Fox SPGP are Coaching Into Connection and Care Transition.
Coaching Into Connection
- The Coaching into Connection program helps service members, veterans, and their families overcome loneliness by making connections to social support activities like gyms, outdoor recreation, art classes, and more. Led by veterans who understand the unique challenges of military life, connection coaches craft personalized plans based on participants’ interests and help remove barriers such as cost or transportation. Get started today by completing the referral form at ConnectVeterans.org/Connection or calling 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
Care Transition
- The Be Connected Care Transition program offers personalized support to service members, veterans, and their families during challenging transitions such as hospital stays, housing instability, justice system involvement, or mental health and substance use treatment. Be Connected Care Transition services available statewide at no cost. Get started today by completing the referral form at ConnectVeterans.org/Care-Transition or calling 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
Making a Difference
In Arizona, the SSG Fox SPGP is making a difference by funding initiatives to target areas with higher veteran populations and areas with limited access to healthcare. Rural communities, tribal lands, and places with high call volumes to the Veterans Crisis Line are also priority areas for grant funding.
Arizona’s approach, under the SSG Fox SPGP, is focused on using these funds to ensure that veterans in the state have access to the mental health resources and support systems they need to reduce the risk of suicide.
The SSG Fox SPGP reflects Arizona’s broader commitment to veteran mental health and suicide prevention, as the state continues to apply for and utilize federal resources to meet the unique needs of its veteran population. This program offers essential support to veterans and their families and helps ensure that they have access to the right care and resources at critical times.
If you or a service member or veteran you know could benefit from no-cost, confidential support to identify and connect to available resources and support, call the Be Connected support line at 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
National Veteran Suicide Statistics
- In 2021, suicide was the 13th-leading cause of death for veterans overall, and the second-leading cause of death among veterans under age 45 years old.
- There were 6,392 veteran suicide deaths in 2021. This was 114 more than in 2020.
- In 2021, there were 6,042 suicide deaths among veteran men and 350 suicide deaths among veteran women.
Source: VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
Further Reading
- ACMF’s 2023 Funding Announcement
- Hannon Act Fact Sheet
- KTAR News Coverage
- National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide
- Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program SSG Fox SPGP
- SSG Fox SPGP Fact Sheet
- VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
