According to statistics released by the Defense Department, military suicides increased again in 2023, continuing a steady and concerning rise in self-inflicted deaths among service members over more than a decade. Pentagon officials downplayed the significance of the 6% rise in suicides from 2022 to 2023, calling the increase not statistically significant. However, they acknowledged "an increasing long-term trend in suicide rates" for active-duty troops despite years of focus on prevention efforts.

A group of House lawmakers wants the VA to improve its scheduling processes for medical appointments. This comes amid reports that veterans are falling through the cracks when seeking mental health services at the VA. Military.com interviewed more than a dozen veterans and VA employees who described scheduling and staffing issues at VA hospitals and clinics that led to appointment cancellations by facilities and long waits for care, a situation that has left some vets feeling abandoned.

The holiday season poses unique needs for many military service members and veterans. Some ways of showing your support are as simple as sending a card to a deployed soldier, inviting a veteran over for a holiday meal, or shopping at a veteran-owned business. In this article, you'll find a list of opportunities for you to donate, volunteer, and support veterans during the holidays.

Are you already working with us? Get in touch with our team. Ask a question about your case, send us an update, or just say hello.