The Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded $1.5 million to three community organizations providing suicide prevention services to veterans in Nebraska. The funding will help reach veterans who are not connected to VA health care.
The grants are part of $112 million awarded to 191 organizations nationwide through the Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The funding becomes available Oct. 1, the start of the federal government’s 2027 fiscal year.
Dr. Eileen Kingston, director of the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, said community organizations help strengthen the support available to Nebraska veterans. “These grants provide Veterans with lifesaving support and ensure they have access to the care and resources they deserve right here in our community,” Kingston said in a statement.
The program supports community efforts to connect veterans with care and resources. The VA says all of its health care facilities also provide same-day access to emergency mental health care for veterans who need it.
Veterans in crisis, or anyone concerned about a veteran, can call 988 and press 1, text 838255 or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. Confidential support is available around the clock, and veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use the service.