The Next Mission: How Local Governments Can Empower Returning Veterans
The transition from military to civilian life is more than a change in career or location; it is a profound shift in identity, structure, and support systems. Service members live in an environment where camaraderie, chain of command, and mission clarity are constants. When that structure disappears, many veterans find themselves abruptly isolated, without the rituals and routines that once defined their daily lives. This abrupt change often leads to a loss of purpose and community, both of which are closely tied to mental well-being and can contribute to elevated suicide risk.
The statistics underscore the urgency of this issue. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day, a rate significantly higher than that of the general population. Veterans account for approximately 14% of all adult suicide deaths in the United States, even though they represent only about 7% of the adult population. The risk is especially pronounced in the first year after leaving military service, when suicide rates are nearly twice as high as those of active-duty service members or long-separated veterans.
Public policy can play a critical role in softening this transition by creating structured, community-based programs that mimic the cohesion and support veterans were accustomed to. Municipal governments should invest in veteran-specific transition centers that offer not only job placement services, but also peer support, mental health resources, and ongoing mentorship. These centers should be staffed by trained professionals, ideally with military experience, who can connect with veterans authentically. A model for this exists in the Veterans Treatment Court system, which has shown success by using veteran mentors and tailored services to reduce recidivism and improve mental health outcomes for justice-involved veterans1. Programs like these can also serve as early intervention points for identifying veterans in crisis and preventing suicide.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Services at the Local Level
While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides mental health services, access remains a challenge due to geographic, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers. Many veterans, particularly those in rural areas, do not live near a VA facility or feel uncomfortable engaging with federal institutions due to past negative experiences or stigma. These barriers can delay or prevent access to critical mental health support, increasing the risk of untreated depression, PTSD, and suicidality. In fact, veterans living in rural areas have suicide rates up to 20% higher than their urban counterparts, highlighting the need for targeted local intervention.
Municipal governments can help close this access gap by partnering with local nonprofits, clinics, and universities to offer culturally competent mental health care tailored to veterans' needs.
One practical step is to incorporate veteran services within existing municipal health departments. Cities like Los Angeles have piloted co-location models where VA social workers are embedded in city-run housing and health services offices2. Expanding these collaborations can reduce the friction veterans experience when navigating multiple bureaucracies. Additionally, municipal budgets should include funding for mental health first aid training for frontline city employees, especially those in libraries, parks, and housing services, who often interact with veterans but lack formal support training3. These employees can serve as crucial gatekeepers in identifying veterans in distress and connecting them to lifesaving resources.
Creating Employment Pipelines for Veterans
Employment is a key factor in successful reintegration and long-term mental health. However, veterans often struggle to translate military roles into civilian job qualifications. Persistent unemployment or underemployment can contribute to financial stress, social isolation, and a sense of diminished self-worth - all of which are risk factors for suicide. According to the VA, unemployed veterans are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to those who are employed, emphasizing the importance of stable job placement as a preventive measure.
Municipal governments can lead by example through veteran hiring preferences, targeted job training programs, and partnerships with local employers. Cities can also work with community colleges to design certification programs that recognize military experience toward credentials in skilled trades, public safety, or logistics.
Municipalities should also consider establishing veteran employment liaisons within their workforce development departments. These roles would serve as both navigators and advocates, helping veterans connect to job opportunities that match their skills while educating employers on the value veterans bring. For example, the city of San Antonio, home to one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the country, has implemented veteran-focused employment initiatives that have shown promising results in reducing veteran unemployment4. Stable employment can provide not only income but also a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, which are protective factors against suicide.
Building Veteran-Specific Housing Solutions
Stable housing is foundational to mental health and reintegration. Veterans are overrepresented in the homeless population, with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimating that over 33,000 veterans were homeless on a single night in 20225. Housing instability is strongly correlated with increased suicide risk; veterans experiencing homelessness are nearly 10 times more likely to die by suicide than their housed peers. This makes it imperative for municipalities to prioritize veteran housing in local zoning and development plans, especially for supportive housing that includes on-site services.
Cities can also leverage federal programs like HUD-VASH, which combines HUD housing vouchers with VA case management, but these efforts often require local coordination. Municipal governments should appoint a veteran housing coordinator to ensure that local housing authorities, nonprofits, and developers are aligned in their goals. Programs like the Veterans Housing Initiative in Phoenix, Arizona, which integrates wraparound services with permanent housing, have demonstrated success in reducing chronic veteran homelessness6. Such models not only provide shelter but also reduce isolation and offer access to mental health services, lowering the risk of suicide.
Fostering Community Integration and Belonging
Beyond services and benefits, veterans need a sense of belonging. Municipal governments can create community-building programs that actively include veterans in civic life. This can include forming veterans advisory councils to inform city policy, hosting veteran appreciation events that go beyond symbolic gestures, and integrating veterans into volunteer and leadership roles within neighborhoods. Social connectedness and community engagement are proven protective factors against suicide and can be especially impactful for veterans who may feel alienated post-service.
A practical approach is to build community events that mirror military traditions, such as unit reunions or service projects, but adapted to civilian settings. Programs like Team Rubicon, which engages veterans in disaster response alongside civilians, are effective because they restore a sense of mission and team-based action7. Municipalities can partner with such organizations or create local equivalents to embed veterans in meaningful activities that benefit the broader community while supporting their mental health. These shared missions can build camaraderie and reduce feelings of isolation, directly contributing to suicide prevention.
Investing in Long-Term Support and Coordination
Many public policies focus on short-term reintegration, such as immediate job placement or emergency mental health intervention. However, the effects of military service can emerge years or even decades later. Suicide risk does not always surface immediately after discharge; it can be triggered by cumulative stressors over time. A 2020 VA report found that suicide rates among veterans aged 18-34 increased by over 90% between 2006 and 2018, illustrating the long-term nature of this crisis. Municipal governments must recognize that supporting veterans is a longitudinal commitment that requires durable infrastructure. This means integrating veteran services into long-term planning efforts, such as comprehensive community health assessments and strategic workforce development plans.
Coordination across city departments and with state and federal partners is essential. Municipalities should establish a veterans affairs office or task force charged with aligning local efforts and tracking progress over time. Regularly updated dashboards on veteran outcomes - such as employment, housing stability, and mental health access - can support data-driven decision making and ensure accountability. Cities like Seattle and Minneapolis have adopted such coordination strategies to better serve their veteran populations over the long haul8. By maintaining long-term oversight, municipalities can identify emerging trends in veteran suicide risk and proactively adjust services to meet evolving needs.
Bibliography
Russell, Robert T., “Veterans Treatment Courts,” Touro Law Review 29, no. 2 (2013): 385–394.
Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs, “Veterans Integration Strategy,” City of Los Angeles, 2020.
National Council for Mental Wellbeing, “Mental Health First Aid for Veterans,” accessed May 2024, https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
City of San Antonio, “Veteran Resources and Programs,” 2023, https://www.sanantonio.gov/MilitaryAffairs.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “The 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress,” December 2022.
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, “Phoenix Veterans Housing Initiative,” 2021.
Team Rubicon, “Our Mission,” accessed May 2024, https://www.teamrubiconusa.org.
City of Seattle Office of Housing, “Veteran Housing and Services Coordination,” 2022.
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