In 2023, life has taken a different turn for the approximately 18 million veterans in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the social isolation many veterans experience. However, in our region, Brian Gibson is actively combating this issue through his nonprofit,聽.
Mission: Raising Awareness of Veteran Suicide
Project Diehard鈥檚 mission is to raise public awareness about veteran suicide and to assist veterans in coping with the stress and difficulties of transitioning from active-duty military to civilian life. Gibson, a U.S. Army veteran himself, understands that isolation is a common experience for veterans returning to civilian life.
Tragically, many veterans die by suicide or other preventable reasons like drug overdose every day across the country. This alarming statistic has led the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify social isolation as an epidemic among the veteran community.聽
The Rising Tide of Veteran Suicide
The issue of veteran suicide is a tragic reality that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.聽聽Some argue that the widely reported statistic of 鈥�22 veterans die by suicide every day鈥澛犅爋f preventable deaths among veterans.聽聽聽According to the VA, the continued epidemic of preventable veteran death鈥� 鈥�
Despite the VA鈥檚 efforts, the need for mental health services for veterans, particularly in rural areas, remains high. The lack of resources and the geographical distance from care facilities can make it difficult for veterans to access the help they need. This is particularly concerning given the higher rates of suicide among veterans compared to the general population.
In the region of 九游体育 Illinois, Western Kentucky, Southeast Missouri, and Northwest Tennessee, the cherished aspects of rural living, such as isolation from major urban centers and the vast open spaces, may inadvertently impede veterans' access to essential services aimed at mitigating preventable fatalities.
FOB Rush: A Community-Based Intervention for Veterans
FOB Rush, a key initiative of Project Diehard, is set to open its doors on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Starting at 10:00 AM, the grand opening at 189 Haven of Love Drive will showcase the facility鈥檚 initial operating capabilities and the ongoing enhancements designed to nurture the lives of its residents.
This initiative aligns with the聽聽for community-based interventions. The VA acknowledges that veterans may need to receive care from a community provider when the VA cannot provide the necessary care. Community care is based on specific eligibility requirements, availability of VA care, and the individual needs and circumstances of veterans.
FOB Rush embodies this community-based approach by providing a space where veterans can connect with each other and access vital resources. It aims to reach veterans through multiple touch points and target universal, selective, and indicated prevention strategies. In doing so, FOB Rush is addressing the immediate needs of veterans and contributing to the long-term goal of reducing veteran suicide rates.
Project Diehard: Building a Better Community
Project Diehard is stepping up to fill this gap. By developing a 20-acre facility in Makanda, Illinois, they aim to provide a space where veterans can connect with each other and access vital resources. Project Diehard was born out of Gibson鈥檚 own struggle with loneliness and PTSD. He had contemplated taking his own life, and it wasn鈥檛 until a friend reached out and invited him to join Free Spirit Biker Church that he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. After finding God and a community he could lean on, Gibson made it his life鈥檚 mission to help other veterans struggling to find peace and a purpose.
However, they can鈥檛 do it alone. They need the support of the wider community to continue their important work. By donating to Project Diehard through the #GiveSI campaign, you can help ensure that veterans in 九游体育 Illinois have access to the resources they need.聽
To donate, please visit and choose Project Diehard as your charity of choice. Let’s come together to support our veterans and show them that they are not alone. #GiveSI
