Dear Veterans, Ambassadors, Community Partners, and Friends,

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to strengthen awareness, encourage meaningful conversations, and remind every veteran that support and resources are available. Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility, and each of us can make a difference by recognizing when someone may be struggling, reaching out, listening without judgment, and helping connect fellow veterans and their families to appropriate resources. Noone should have to navigate a difficult moment alone. To find health and mental health resources visit the DVMF website: https://veterans.maryland.gov/benefits-services/healthcare 

Also, this month we begin the WVIP Listening Tour, creating opportunities to meet veterans and their families in communities across Maryland and hear directly about their experiences, priorities, challenges, and ideas. These conversations are essential to helping WVIP better understand where gaps exist, strengthen connections to resources, and identify opportunities to improve how we serve Maryland’s diverse veteran community.

Our WVIP Ambassadors remain an important part of this work. As trusted voices in their communities, Ambassadors are helping us expand our reach, build relationships, share resources, and bring the perspectives of veterans from across the state into our ongoing work.

We invite you to learn more about upcoming Listening Tour locations, Ambassador activities, community resources, partnerships, and opportunities to get involved.

Most importantly, we want to hear from you. Your voice matters, your experiences matter, and your feedback helps shape the future of the WVIP.

Thank you for your continued service, engagement, and partnership as we work together to build a stronger and more inclusive veteran community throughout Maryland.

With appreciation,

Roslyn

Thank you for joining us at the Harriet Tubman Visions of Freedom Watch Party

Ms. Patricia Hawkins in gold and black, is a veteran, and as part of the Ross family (Harriet Tubman's birth name was Araminta Ross), Hawkins discovered her historic lineage while she was in college. Since then, she has spent decades working alongside her family to honor General Tubman's memory and preserve African American history on Maryland's Eastern Shore. She and Ms. Adrian Holmes, standing next to me in black are hosting the Harriet Tubman Summit that will be held September 26th and 27th.  They are inviting 250 Veterans to stand in unity and strength at the Dorchester County Court house on September 26th at 11:00 am. Register at this link

By the Numbers: Suicide Risk Among Women Veterans

Women veterans are one of the fastest-growing segments of the veteran population, representing a vital and dynamic force in our communities. Despite their significant contributions, the experiences of women who have served are often overlooked—especially when it comes to understanding the heightened mental health risks they face.

Today, the Register includes nearly 308,500 military women’s stories, but about 3 million women have served in or with the Armed Forces since the American Revolution. We need your help to reach the 2.7 million women whose stories will be lost to history if not recorded and preserved for generations to come at our Memorial. We need your help to preserve that history.

Register her service for free at womensmemorial.org

The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) can provide women Veterans, their families, and caregivers with information about VA services and resources. All the representatives at the Women Veterans Call Center are women, and many are Veterans themselves. Learn more about the WVCC

Simply call or text 1-855-VA-Women (1-855-829-6636) or use the online chat feature to connect with a Women Veterans Call Center representative.