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On Friendship
“… And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
- Kahlil Gibran
A Day to Celebrate Friendship
August 3rd, 2025, marks National Friendship Day. But friendship (being connected to others) makes a real impact beyond a day of celebration.
Research shows that if you lack meaningful connections, it is worse for your overall health than smoking, obesity or high blood pressure. Your family and social life also affect your mental health, for better or worse. Those who do feel positively connected to others experience less anxiety and depression, for example.
Quality also matters – the number of relationships is less important than the content of those connections and how you feel about them.
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What about Veterans and Social Support?
Research also highlights how important social connection is for Veterans’ health. Findings from a recent study on post-9/11 Veterans suggest that social isolation during service may carry over post-service, especially for those with a history of trauma. Trauma history increases risk of isolation and negative health outcomes, including suicide.
On the other hand, this study emphasizes the positive role that social support plays. Other Veteran studies echo this connection to well-being. Veterans with more support and better connections tend to do better overall. This includes Veterans coping with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
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 Staying Connected After Military Service
Transitioning from military to civilian life can make it tough to stay connected to the people and activities that matter. But there are ways to help bring back camaraderie and a sense of purpose.
Interested in hosting a social event? VA provides support for planning and hosting a local Veteran event to meet others, share resources, and have some fun. Learn more about Veterans Socials here.
Volunteering is another great way to meet other Veterans and continue to serve your community. Here are a few examples of Veteran organizations that focus on community, activity, and service:
Get creative and maybe make some friends along the way! Turn the things that make you happy into social opportunities. There are others who share your interests, whether it’s art, songwriting, fishing, or gardening.
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Rocky Mountain MIRECC Research
Many post-9/11 Veterans have multiple health conditions, which increases the likelihood of experiencing thoughts of suicide. We studied how meaningful activities, including time with friends and relatives, affect the presence of suicidal thoughts.
We found that greater participation in meaningful activities was associated with fewer suicidal thoughts. Read more about the study here.
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