WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced an allocation of $52.5 million in funding for grants geared toward community-based organizations. These organizations provide or coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans and their families, including mental health screenings, case management, peer support services, emergency clinical services, and outreach to at-risk veterans.
The grants will be awarded through VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, named in honor of a sniper instructor who tragically took his own life at age 25. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. E.T., April 26, and awards will be dispersed to eligible entities by September 30, 2024, for use in fiscal year 2025.
“Veterans in crisis should always have access to the services and support they need – including mental health screenings, peer support, emergency services, and more,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “There are countless great organizations across America that work side-by-side with VA to do this life-saving work, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
This funding round marks the third set of grants awarded as part of VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. In September 2023, the VA awarded grants totaling $52.5 million to 80 community-based organizations in 43 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, and American Samoa.
The grant funding will be divided into two priorities. Under Priority 1, entities with existing SSG Fox SPGP awards will have opportunities for additional funding. Priority 2 will allow new organizations to apply for grants worth up to $750,000. Once Priority 1 grantee applicants have been selected, any remaining funds will be awarded according to Priority 2. The VA may also prioritize the distribution of suicide prevention services grants to rural communities, tribal lands, U.S. territories, medically underserved areas, and areas with a high number or percentage of minority veterans, women veterans, or calls to the Veterans Crisis Line.
The initiative is part of VA’s concerted push to end veteran suicide, which is the department’s top clinical priority and a key component of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. Since 2021, the VA has expanded support for veterans in crisis, including offering no-cost health care to veterans in suicidal crisis at VA or non-VA facilities, launching the 988 (then press 1) hotline to help veterans connect more quickly with caring, qualified responders through the Veterans Crisis Line, partnering with community-based suicide prevention organizations to provide on-the-ground support, expanding firearm suicide prevention efforts, and running a national veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
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