Why Social Support Can Have the Greatest Impact on Suicide Prevention for Veterans
It’s hard to know what the most challenging part of separating from the military might be. For some people, the most challenging part may be tied to a physical challenge, such as an injury they sustained during their time in the service, ranging from something as simple as a tweaked knee to something more serious, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI). For some Veterans, it may be the lack of direction or guidance. The sudden feeling of autonomy can be overwhelming and unfamiliar. But for many Veterans, separating from the military may mean leaving behind a social group that “gets it” and navigating life surrounded by social groups that don’t. This transition can be challenging and frustrating, and it can often leave a Veteran feeling isolated and alone.
Many studies focused on suicide prevention among Veterans highlight the importance of social support following their time in the service, especially if that service included difficult or multiple deployments. There are many reasons why social support can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health.
Avoiding the Feeling of Isolation
For many Veterans, isolation becomes a significant factor in their mental health after returning home and subsequently separating from the military. In some cases, Veterans may feel isolated as they recover from an injury. Others may experience isolation while working through logistics such as living arrangements and transportation. In some cases, Veterans simply don’t have the same opportunities to connect with others and socialize as they once did during their time in the service.
These circumstances can all create opportunities for isolation and loneliness to creep in. If a Veteran has opportunities to connect with others without significant barriers, feelings of isolation may be less likely to become a persistent issue.
Finding Appropriate Audiences
For some Veterans, finding like-minded individuals outside the military can be difficult. Military experience comes with a certain culture that only those who have served may fully understand. While others may mean well when they say, “I understand,” their comments can sometimes come across as tone-deaf or uninformed. For many Veterans, avoiding these experiences may feel easier than trying to find a community of like-minded individuals.
Having access to people who understand their experiences can make a difference. Whether it’s connecting with other Veterans, joining a peer support group, or simply spending time with someone who is willing to listen without judgment, finding the right audience can help Veterans feel understood rather than isolated. These connections can provide a sense of belonging that may be difficult to find elsewhere.
The Importance of Staying Connected
Social support is about more than having people around. It’s about having people a Veteran can trust, talk to, and turn to during difficult times. Sometimes, that support comes from family or friends. Other times, it comes from fellow Veterans who understand the transition out of military life. In either case, knowing that someone is available to listen and offer support can help a Veteran feel less alone when life becomes overwhelming.
Finding these connections doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with a shared activity or a casual conversation. A Veteran walking group, a painting group, a poker game, a card or board game group, or even a simple coffee social can provide opportunities to meet others and begin building relationships. These activities may seem small, but they can create a comfortable environment where Veterans can connect with others without the pressure of having to explain their experiences or talk about difficult topics.
The goal isn’t necessarily to talk about military service or mental health. It’s to create opportunities for Veterans to spend time together, develop friendships, and feel like they belong. Over time, these regular interactions can help turn familiar faces into trusted friends and give Veterans a community they can rely on when life gets difficult.
Social connections can also make it easier for Veterans to recognize when they need additional help. A friend, family member, or fellow Veteran may notice changes in behavior, mood, or daily routines that the Veteran may not recognize themselves. These connections can create opportunities for honest conversations about mental health and encourage Veterans to seek professional support when needed.
Social support doesn’t have to involve a major commitment or a complicated conversation. It might mean showing up for a walk, joining a painting session, playing a few rounds of cards, or stopping by for coffee. Small, consistent efforts can help maintain relationships and make it easier for Veterans to reach out when they need support.
Building a Community of Support
While social support alone cannot prevent every suicide, it can be an important part of a broader suicide prevention effort. Veterans face a variety of challenges after leaving the military, and no single solution will address every need. Access to mental health care, stable housing, employment opportunities, and other resources all play important roles. But creating opportunities for Veterans to connect with one another is another meaningful way to support their well-being.
Suicide prevention isn’t just about responding when someone reaches a crisis point. It’s also about building connections and communities where Veterans feel welcome, understood, and supported long before a crisis occurs.
Through social opportunities like our Veteran social groups, our nonprofit aims to help Veterans find those connections. These groups offer opportunities to get out of the house, meet people with shared experiences, build friendships, and become part of a community. No one should have to feel that they need to be struggling or in crisis to benefit from social support.
Sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can offer a Veteran isn’t advice or a solution. It’s an invitation to join us for a walk, sit down for a cup of coffee, or share a few laughs over a game. It’s the willingness to listen, the effort to stay connected, and the reminder that they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.
Find Your Community with NCHP’s The Best Is Yet to Come Program
Building connections doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with a walk, a cup of coffee, a creative activity, or a friendly game. NCHP’s The Best Is Yet to Come program offers opportunities for Veterans to connect, build friendships, and spend time with others who share similar experiences.
Our Veteran social groups provide welcoming opportunities to get out, try something new, reconnect with others, and become part of a community. Whether you enjoy being active, expressing your creativity, playing games, or simply enjoying good conversation over coffee, there may be a group for you.
Explore our groups below and find an opportunity to connect!
Enjoy some fresh air, get moving, and connect with fellow Veterans during a group walk.
When: 3rd Friday of every month; 10am-12pm(October - April)
Where: Tucson offices
Enjoy some fresh air, get moving, and connect with fellow Veterans during a group walk.
When: Various dates; next date Oct 20th @ 10am (October - April)
Where: Wetlands Park (299 N 12th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364)
Explore your creative side, try something new, and enjoy time with fellow Veterans in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
When: Various dates; next date Oct 26th @ 1:30pm-3pm
Where: Yuma Offices
Enjoy friendly competition, good conversation, and time with fellow Veterans around the poker table.
When: Various dates; check back for Nov date
Where: Yuma Offices
Join fellow Veterans for classic card games, board games, and an opportunity to share some laughs and build connections.
When: 2nd Thursday of the month; 2pm-4pm
Where: Tucson Offices
Sometimes, the best way to connect is over a cup of coffee. Stop by, meet other Veterans, and enjoy casual conversation in a welcoming setting.
When: TBD
Where: TBD
Come Join Us!
You don't have to navigate life after military service alone. Whether you're looking to meet new people, reconnect with fellow Veterans, or simply get out of the house for a while, we welcome you to join us.
Through NCHP’s The Best Is Yet to Come program, we're working to create opportunities for Veterans to build meaningful connections and find a stronger sense of community.
Have questions or want to learn more? Contact NCHP for additional information about our Veteran social groups and how to participate.
This is made possible through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program.
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