By Garra Lloyd-Lester
When you’re worried about a loved one, it can feel daunting. You might notice changes in their mood or behavior and wonder what to do next. You care deeply—but you may not know where to turn or how to help in a way that will truly make a difference.
That’s where support, connection, and partnership matter the most.
Supporting a Veteran Takes More Than One Person
Helping a Veteran who may be struggling is not something one person or one organization can do alone. Just like suicide prevention itself, support works best when it’s shared with others. It takes families, friends, community groups, clinicians, advocates, and trusted organizations working together to make a meaningful impact.
At Worried About a Veteran (WAV), we believe loved ones play a powerful role in prevention. WAV empowers loved ones to prevent Veteran gun suicide. Families, partners, and friends can access practical and accessible tools through our website.
What WAV Offers Loved Ones
Our team at WAV works to provide easy-to-use, evidence-based resources that help loved ones take action when suicide is a concern.
These include:
- How to recognize warning signs and offer emotional support
- State-by-state information on firearm laws so families understand safe, voluntary, and temporary storage options
- Gun-owner-friendly storage solutions, both in and away from the home
- Blog posts tailored towards self-care and realistic solutions for those who are supporting a Veteran
- Clear guidance designed to reduce risk while respecting personal rights and dignity
- Collaboration in the form of custom training and workshops, support in drafting educational materials
- Peer support staffed by Vets4Warriors available 24/7 at 844-255-2928 (844-CLL-2WAV).
WAV’s approach focuses on safety, compassion, and community— meeting veterans’ loved ones where they are, without judgment, and empowering them to take action.
Why Partnerships Are Essential
WAV is honored to work alongside organizations that share the goal of reducing suicide and supporting Veteran families. Partnerships with groups such as Veteran Spouse Network, Vets4Warriors, Face the Fight Foundation, among others, ensure families receive steady and reliable support from a variety of trusted sources.
These collaborations allow us to expand reach, strengthen programs, share best practices, and make a greater impact at both the individual and community level.
Let’s Work Together
If your organization supports Veterans, military families, or suicide prevention efforts—especially in the areas of safe storage, mental health, or community education—we would love to connect.
WAV welcomes standard or customized partnerships that build on shared strengths and help more families feel supported when it matters most.
Together, we can reach more loved ones, strengthen prevention efforts, and help save lives!
Next Steps:
- Email contact@worriedaboutaveteran.org with your organization’s information and program needs.
- Our team will schedule a conversation to explore opportunities.
- Together, we’ll identify ways to integrate.
Garra Lloyd-Lester is the Coordinator of the New York State Suicide Prevention Community and Coalition Initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State (SPCNY). As Coordinator, he works with State and County partners, local governmental units, local coalitions, and other systems to build capacity to help reduce suicides across the lifespan. He has 40+ years of experience in the field of social services including working with the developmentally disabled, working in the child welfare system and within the mental health system. He is one of Worried About a Veteran’s founding members and has contributed to its development since.
