Collaborative Effort Tackles Veteran Suicide Prevention Nationwide: A Look at SAMHSA’s Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges
SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have partnered on the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) across the U.S. All states, plus five territories, are working on the Governor’s Challenge, applying public health strategies for suicide prevention statewide.
Their partnership, known as the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges, involves teams from every state, five U.S. territories, and 24 communities nationwide working to develop sustainable, evidence-based suicide prevention practices.
The Governor’s Challenge, active across all 50 states and territories, focuses on developing statewide strategies that adhere to a public health model of suicide prevention. This involves promoting mental health support access, aligning state resources with best practices, and establishing key partnerships with stakeholders. Mayor’s Challenge participants, comprising 14 cities and counties, adopt similar approaches tailored to their communities, with a dedicated effort toward expanding crisis resources, addressing high-risk groups, and supporting preventive measures at the local level.
The SMVF TA Center, led by SAMHSA, provides critical support for these challenges by offering resources, strategic guidance, and technical assistance, empowering states and communities to address the unique needs of veterans and their families. Each team comprises civilian and military representatives, behavioral health experts, and other relevant partners to provide a coordinated response to SMVF needs.
These efforts align with the VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, incorporating a comprehensive approach that addresses prevention, crisis response, and community support. The plan emphasizes four key areas: empowering veterans and families, enhancing clinical and community preventive services, providing comprehensive treatment options, and employing robust research and evaluation.
Each team’s strategy is driven by data-informed decisions and evidence-based practices to improve support for veterans and service members at the community level. By fostering partnerships across civilian, military, and public health sectors, the initiative enhances access to resources and prioritizes proactive suicide prevention efforts for the SMVF population.
Key Accomplishments of the Challenges
The Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges have made strides in reducing SMVF suicides and increasing access to essential services. Accomplishments include:
Improved access to behavioral health support and peer services
Formation of cross-system military and civilian coalitions
Community-based screening and care initiatives to identify veterans in need
Development of actionable, data-driven plans tailored to each community’s SMVF needs.
The collaborative nature of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges showcases a unique approach to reducing suicide among veterans, underscoring the importance of community-based support networks, state resources, and the commitment to helping those who serve and their families.