Mental Health Awareness Month

Welcome to May—National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the beginning of a much-needed conversation around wellness, healing, and wholeness for those who’ve worn the uniform or answered the call as first responders.

At Valor Forged Foundation, we recognize that while veterans and first responders are often celebrated for their grit and toughness, those same traits can sometimes become barriers to seeking support. According to the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 17.6 veterans die by suicide every day. That number isn’t just heartbreaking—it’s unacceptable.

It reminds us that toughness alone isn’t enough. What we need—what our communities deserve—is wholeness.

This May, we’re leaning into that truth. We’ll be exploring how seemingly simple tools—movement, connection, and renewed purpose—can protect and restore mental health. No gym memberships. No clinical jargon. Just practical steps rooted in real-life experience.

Whether you’re a veteran, a first responder, or someone who loves and supports them, we invite you to join us in the weeks ahead. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Together, we’ll highlight the power of small daily actions that build resilience and reclaim strength from the inside out.

Because being forged by fire doesn’t just mean surviving. It means rising stronger—mind, body, and soul.