Why a unique Colorado program offers new hope for veterans struggling with mental health

Suicide among veterans is a tragic and persistent issue for the military community. That’s especially true in Colorado. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 178 veterans in Colorado died by suicide in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available.  

Colorado leaders recently created a pilot program called Next Chapter, aimed at lowering these statistics. It’s based in El Paso County, which is home to many of the state’s nearly 370,000 veterans.   

The evidence so far is hopeful. Next Chapter has worked with about 1,200 veterans in its first few years, and appears to be changing the way many Colorado veterans in crisis find support and treatment. State lawmakers are working to add $5 million in funding to expand the program. 

Reporter Daliah Singer recently wrote about the program for the Colorado Sun and for Collective Colorado, a publication of The Colorado Trust. She joined Erin O'Toole to discuss what makes Next Chapter different from other programs aimed at helping veterans.  

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Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole
Executive Producer: Brad Turner
 
Theme music by Robbie Reverb
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.