Serving Hope: Suicide Prevention Resources Offered to Veterans at Mobile Food Pantry

Bludell, who lost his job as a home inspector in June, said he was at the local VFW when he heard about a nearby mobile food pantry just for Veterans and decided to check it out.  

When he arrived he was sitting in a line of cars with more than 100 Veterans, waiting to get some much-needed food, when Andre Napier, a social worker at the Houston VA approached him, offering support, resources and encouragement. 

"Mr. Napier came right up to my car window and shared with me that I might be eligible for VA healthcare and told me about some of what the VA has to offer," Bludell said.  "I'm not the type to be depressed or ask for a handout but I have to say that I have had some pretty dark days since my job was cut.  It was great to hear about everything that is out there for us Vets."

Napier, a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Houston VA, was at the food pantry as part of a new initiative aimed at connecting vulnerable Veterans with VA's crisis line and suicide prevention resources.  He handed out VA crisis line bags, gun locks and more to Veterans while offering them support and information.

"The correlation between food insecurity and Veteran suicide got us thinking about ways we can reach Veterans to share the VA crisis line information and all our VA resources with them," said Elizabeth Kleeman, LCSW, Mental Health Care Line Special Programs Coordinator    "By partnering with Combined Arms, one of our local veterans service organizations that does amazing work combatting Veteran food insecurity, we were able to reach out to hundreds of Veterans at two mobile food pantry events this month. We are thrilled to get these resources and this information in the hands of the Veterans who may need it the most."

Bludell says he plans to come in to the Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic and enroll for his first appointment soon.  

"I have never really needed VA before but since I lost my insurance, it's a different story," he said.   "It's been very tough the last few months...I even thought about giving up a few times, but then I think about my daughter and granddaughter.  I'm so grateful for all this help."

During the month of September,  communities across the nation pause to recognize Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and fostering dialogue about this important topic.  Recognizing the need for a more integrated approach to suicide prevention, Veteran and community organizations in the Houston area are working hard to come together to connect veterans to vital resources.

"This initiative demonstrates that by working together and leveraging existing community resources, we can create safe spaces for Veterans to find help, hope, and healing," said Kleeman.   "Prevention often starts with connection and we want to make sure Veterans are not only fed but also cared for, valued, and supported. This initiative is a crucial step toward creating a safer, more inclusive community where every Veteran knows they are not alone in their struggles."

Despite his current challenges, Bludell says he is feeling hopeful for the future.  

"God works in mysterious ways," he said.  "He led me to this event and I'm leaving with a heart full of gratitude."