Real VeteransReal Stories

Sue FabeckSuicide Prevention Coordinator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Make the Connection – About the Campaign

One-stop online resource to privately explore mental health topics

400+ unscripted stories of Veterans who faced challenges and took steps that improved their lives

Optional filters for visitors to personalize content and easily find stories similar to their own

Resource locators to easily find national and local support

At MakeTheConnection.net, Veterans and members of their support networks can:

Learn, in plain language, about topics and solutions relevant to their experiences

Locate resources, programs, and services near them

Listen to powerful video testimonials from Veterans and their family members

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A Resource for Veterans

Easily find Veterans’ stories relevant to

their own experiences

Dynamically sort videos: • Gender, era, branch,

and exposure to combat

• Life events and experiences

• Signs and symptoms • Conditions

Hosting hundreds of videos on experiences relevant to Veterans, visitors can:

The Power of Veterans’ Stories

Veterans Can Find Information Relevant to Them

MakeTheConnection.net has multiple user-friendly points of entry that include nonclinical options.Life events and experiences• Transitioning from service• Financial and legal issues• Family and relationship

challengesSigns and symptoms• Alcohol and drug

problems• Flashbacks• Anger and irritability• Feeling on edgeConditions (mental & physical health)• PTSD• Traumatic brain injury

(TBI)• Military sexual trauma

(MST)• Depression• Suicide

…and much more.

Resources: Benefiting Veterans and the Community

An easy-to-use resource locator helps Veterans—and those looking to assist them—find local assistance for challenges ranging from transitioning from service to trouble sleeping to depression to PTSD.

National Search

Local Results

MakeTheConnection.net Mobile

Going mobile allowed MakeTheConnection.net to become universally accessible, while maintaining its dynamic and engaging features.

Filter Video Gallery Resource Locator

Encouraging Veterans to Make the Connection

www.YouTube.com/VeteransMTC

www.facebook.com/VeteransMTC

Website: 4.6 million visits*

www.MakeTheConnection.net

Facebook: 2.2 million Facebook fans*

YouTube: 8.1 million video views*

Connecting with the Veteran community online via the web, Facebook and YouTube.

*data current as of April 2014

Encouraging Veterans to Make the Connection

• Recommend Make the Connection as a resource to Veterans and their families

• Download materials to share from: MakeTheConnection.net/Resources/Spread-The-Word

• Include the campaign in community or professional presentations

• Actively use these real Veterans’ stories in your interactions with Veterans

/VeteransMTC /VeteransMTC /+VeteransMTC

VA SUICIDE PREVENTION OVERVIEWMarch 2014

VA’s integrated approach to suicide preventionReady access to quality care

Free, confidential support 24/7/365

• Veterans• Family members• Friends• Service members

Veterans Crisis Line: 6 years of saving lives

Trained responders are standing by

Suicide Prevention Coordinators

Connecting with Veterans and their families through outreach

Brochures and Posters

Table Tents

Tote Bags

Coaster

Phone Sticker

Kickstand Pads Bracelet

Wallet Card

Magnets

Campaign materials

VeteransCrisisLine.net/SpreadTheWord

VeteransCrisisLine.net/ResourceLocator