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Office of Veterans Services

Governor’s Challenge

Dear Partners and Governor’s Challenge Participants,

Over the past several years, Delaware’s Governor’s Challenge team has brought together dedicated community partners, providers, agencies, peers, advocates, and organizations committed to improving suicide prevention efforts for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). Your involvement helped create meaningful progress across the State, and we are reaching out as we look toward continuing and strengthening this important work together.  We will be collaborating with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and the Behavioral Health Consortium. 

The Governor’s Challenge is a national initiative supported through collaboration between the VA and SAMHSA that helps States develop coordinated, community-based suicide prevention strategies tailored to the needs of Veterans and military-connected populations. The work is grounded in evidence-based public health approaches and focuses on strengthening partnerships, improving access to care and support, promoting connectedness, and reducing suicide risk across communities.

While important progress has been made, we also recognize there is more work to do. Many Veterans remain disconnected from services and support systems, and suicide prevention cannot rest solely within healthcare settings. Strong community partnerships and cross-sector collaboration remain essential to ensuring Veterans and their families are identified, supported, connected, and safe.

As we continue building on these efforts throughout Delaware, we wanted to reconnect with partners who have previously participated in the Governor’s Challenge initiative and share some examples of work that has taken place across the three priority areas.

Priority Area 1: Identify Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families (SMVF) and Screen for Suicide Risk

This priority area focuses on helping community providers and organizations better identify Veterans and military-connected individuals while improving opportunities for screening, referral, and connection to care.

Examples of Delaware Efforts:

  • Expansion of “Ask the Question” (ATQ) {Have you ever served in the US Military} initiatives across community settings
  • Outreach to senior centers, workforce development sites, and community organizations
  • Collaboration with Bridge Clinics and healthcare providers
  • Exploration of Veteran identification and screening integration into additional community-facing systems
  • Increased awareness of culturally competent engagement with Veterans and military families

This work remains important because many Veterans interact with community systems long before they connect with formal behavioral healthcare services.

Priority Area 2: Promote Connectedness and Improve Care Transitions

Connectedness remains one of the strongest protective factors against suicide. This priority area focuses on strengthening relationships, peer support, community integration, and continuity of care and support.

Examples of Delaware Efforts:

  • Peer Specialist Training focused on Military Cultural Competence
  • Collaboration with peer support programs and Veteran-serving organizations
  • Development of military cultural awareness training opportunities
  • Expansion of Veteran peer engagement and outreach efforts
  • Partnerships aimed at reducing isolation and improving community connection for Veterans not engaged in VA care
  • Exploration of improved coordination and support during transitions between systems of care and community settings

We know isolation, disconnection, and difficult transitions continue to impact many Veterans and their families. There is still tremendous opportunity to strengthen local partnerships and community-based supports throughout Delaware.

Priority Area 3: Increase Lethal Means Safety and Safety Planning

This priority area focuses on reducing access to lethal means during periods of crisis while promoting safety planning and education in ways that are respectful, collaborative, and Veteran-centered.

Examples of Delaware Efforts:

  • Safety and secure firearm storage awareness campaigns
  • Distribution of gun locks and educational materials
  • Collaboration with firearm retailers, trainers, healthcare providers, and community organizations
  • Community education surrounding safe storage practices
  • Training efforts related to lethal means safety conversations and suicide prevention

This work continues to be critical as firearm-related suicides remain a significant concern among Veterans nationally and locally.

We recognize and appreciate the time, expertise, and dedication that community partners bring to this work. Your previous involvement and collaboration helped build a strong foundation, and we would value the opportunity to continue working together to support Delaware’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.