This week, reports about recent layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs impacting Veterans Crisis Line responders hit social media, the VA responded with a statement to Connecting Vets claiming no responders were impacted. Eye on Veterans' conversation with the Grunt Style Foundation revealed some even more disturbing trends in VA data.
Tim Jensen, a Marine Corps combat veteran, is on a mission to stop veteran suicide. The powerful veteran activist and head of Grunt Style Foundation, the advocacy arm of America’s patriotic T-shirt brand Grunt Style, talked with us about the current state of suicide prevention.
Jensen shared a surprising connection between suicide and psychotropic drugs, and others for anxiety, depression and even meds used to help vets quit smoking. He also illustrated how alternative medical treatments, widely known to improve the lives of vets with head injuries and PTSD, are being underutilized or even ignored.
We discussed the political games unfolding as DOGE cuts continue to slice the federal workforce. And we examine the path forward including upcoming meetings with House Veterans Affairs committee members, a GSF-VFW partnership, and their proposal currently being reviewed by officials in the Trump administration.
For more on veteran support, suicide prevention and ways vets can Grunt Style Foundation brotherhood, check out here.
Contact Phil Briggs, the host of CBS Eye on Veterans at phil@connectingvets.com