Nothing kills momentum faster than a shiny new “mental health initiative” that feels like it was written by a committee of robots. Real people want real buy-in, real responsiveness, and real results.
Veterans carry remarkable strengths into civilian life — resilience, mission focus, and a deep commitment to taking care of their own. As we move beyond Veterans Day, this piece explores how those qualities make veterans powerful leaders in workplace mental health and suicide prevention, and why their service uniquely prepares them to champion wellbeing long after the uniform comes off.
We are heartbroken to share the passing of Dr. Charlie Cartwright — a true champion of care, connection, and courage. Charlie lived his message deeply, reminding us that “connections save lives.” His warmth, wisdom, and humanity shaped our field and touched countless lives. Though we’ve lost a dear friend, his legacy of compassion continues in the work he inspired.
Grief after suicide feels like carrying a weight that never truly goes away — but over time, we grow stronger beneath it. In this reflection for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas shares her journey after losing her brother Carson, exploring how connection, compassion, and storytelling help transform unbearable pain into shared strength.
When I talk with people who have lived through suicidal despair, I’m struck again and again by something that doesn’t fit neatly into a clinical checklist.
