Sharing the Mission

Military suicide is not only a national crisis, but it is also a profound family and community tragedy. Every loss reverberates through homes, neighborhoods, and the tight-knit circles that service members and veterans build throughout their lives. Stop Soldier Suicide, a leading national nonprofit organization, is working to change this reality by surrounding veterans and service members with the compassion, connection, and collective care they need and deserve.

“Our goal is simple: to reach every veteran or service member who needs support,” says Caitlyn Scaggs, national director of marketing and communications for Stop Soldier Suicide. “One of the most important things to know is that suicide prevention is not limited to clinical settings – it is a shared responsibility that involves communities, families and individuals who want to make a difference.”

The Scope of the Crisis

The scope of the situation is stark. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report shows that veteran suicide numbers have barely shifted, with 6,398 deaths in 2023—only a slight decrease from the year before.

The suicide rate climbed to 35.2 per 100,000 veterans, the highest since 2018, with increases among both men and women. Young veterans ages 18–34 remain at especially high risk, often facing intertwined challenges such as health issues, homelessness, and chronic pain.

Equally troubling, roughly 61% of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 were not receiving VA health care in their final year, leaving many without the support networks they needed most.

A Data-Driven Safety Net

In response, Stop Soldier Suicide has expanded its outreach, deepened partnerships, and strengthened its data-driven approach to prevention. These efforts include strengthening the reach of the group’s ROGER Wellness Service, which provides suicide-specific care to veterans and service members in all 50 states.

At the same time, the organization has advanced its groundbreaking research initiative, the Black Box Project, which allows families who have experienced suicide loss to participate in research designed to better understand suicide risk and heighten prevention efforts.

“Families frequently play a critical role in recognizing when a loved one may be struggling and encouraging them to seek help,” Scaggs explains. “Over the past year, our mission has continued to evolve as we work to save lives today and build scalable solutions that protect veterans, their families, and their communities for generations to come.”

Since its founding in 2010 by U.S. Army veterans Brian Kinsella, Nick Black, and Craig Gridelli, Stop Soldier Suicide has answered more than 26,400 requests for help, delivered more than 49,000 hours of care, and supported more than 12,600 individuals.

Funding the Mission Through Community

Stop Soldier Suicide is funded by individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations.

“The financial support we receive is what allows us to provide free and confidential care to veterans and service members nationwide,” Scaggs notes. “One of our most impactful supporters is the Men's Wearhouse ‘Threads of Valor’ campaign. They have stood alongside us for years, providing meaningful financial support while also helping amplify our life-saving mission.”

Another vital initiative taking place this May is “Pantry Palooza,” a global commissary promotion organized by S&K Sales Co. Aligning with Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Appreciation Month, the initiative offers discounted ‘stock-up’ deals on pantry staples at all DeCA commissaries worldwide.

“What makes Pantry Palooza particularly meaningful is its direct impact,” Scaggs explains. “When patrons purchase items marked as part of the promotion, a portion of those sales is donated to Stop Soldier Suicide. Last year, the initiative raised approximately $70,000, and organizers are aiming to expand that impact to $100,000 this year.”

Finding Purpose Through Action

Supporters also engage with the mission through monthly Facebook Challenges, virtual events that invite people from coast-to-coast to raise awareness and funds while completing daily physical challenges.

For many suicide loss survivors, these challenges provide community and connection.

“When my brother died by suicide, I really needed a way to move forward,” says Chris Stephens, a long-time participant and now creative specialist at the organization. “The challenge community at Stop Soldier Suicide is amazing. As a runner, the miles have always been meaningful to me. Hearing the stories of courage from other veterans or loss survivors helps inspire all of us to keep driving forward.”

In the fall of 2025, Stephens joined 40 other runners on Team Stop Soldier Suicide at the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., raising more than $70,000. The organization will have a team running in the marathon again this October.

Hope for the Future

Scaggs points out that the organization and its leadership are hopeful.

“When you combine the resilience we see in the people we serve with the innovation driving new approaches to prevention, it gives us a great deal of optimism that more lives can be saved,” she states. “If you believe, as we do, that even one suicide is too many, we invite you to stand with us in this fight. Together, we can end the military suicide crisis.”

If You Need Help

If you are a veteran or service member who may be struggling—or if you know someone who is—help is available.

• Visit: goroger.org/Get-Help
• Call: 833-MY-ROGER (833-697-6437) to connect with the Stop Soldier Suicide team.

(Editor's Note: Photos can be found in this PicTime Gallery: https://stopsoldiersuicide.pic-time.com/-stopsoldiersuicidemediagallery)