Lundbeck US Charitable Fund Awards More than $4 Million to Organizations Increasing Access to Mental Health Care for US Veterans and the Military Community
Donations Committed to RUSH’s Road Home Program, The Headstrong Project and Stop Soldier Suicide will help address critical brain health needs
DEERFIELD, Ill., November 9, 2023 – The Lundbeck US Charitable Fund announced today it is awarding more than $4 million over three years to organizations focused on addressing the significant brain health needs of veterans in the US. RUSH’s Road Home Program, The Headstrong Project (THP) and Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS) will use the funding to expand current offerings and launch new mental health programs for the US veteran and military communities.
The Lundbeck US Charitable Foundation directs its funding to charitable organizations that share Lundbeck’s dedication to restoring brain health, especially in vulnerable populations facing brain health challenges. One of its key areas of focus are the veteran and military communities – a population that experiences a disproportionate burden of mental health disorders because of their unique experiences serving their country. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 40 percent of veterans aged 18 to 25 and more than 25 percent of all veterans 18 and older had either a substance use disorder or a mental illness in 2021.1
This burden is compounded by the fact that reaching veterans with critical mental health care can be challenging. It is reported that approximately 60 percent of military personnel who experience mental health problems do not seek help, and one of the most frequently reported barriers is concerns about stigma.2
“The veteran community in America has a well-identified need for greater access to critical mental health care,” said Molly Poarch, President of the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund. “We are proud to support these organizations and help expand their impact in addressing this significant need.”
The Road Home Program helps veterans, active-duty service members, and their families make healthier transitions to civilian life by offering specialized mental health care, peer-to-peer outreach, counseling, and community resource navigation. This includes evidence-based care for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and multisystemic therapy (MST), child and family counseling, service and resource navigation and public awareness programming. The Road Home Program will use the funding provided by the Lundbeck US Charitable Foundation to enhance continuity of care, improve the intensive outpatient program model, and ensure program sustainability.
“We are energized by the shared passion of the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund in helping the Road Home Program reach more veterans, active-duty service members, and families — regardless of discharge status or ability to pay,” said Robert Shulman, MD, Acting Chair of RUSH University Medical Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Road Home Program. “Not only will this support enable us to expand our efforts to deliver evidence-based, culturally competent mental and behavioral health care to veterans and their families, innovative therapies developed at the Road Home Program have started to help thousands of non-veterans dealing with trauma-related mental health issues.”
The Headstrong Project (THP) is a non-profit mental health organization that has developed a first-of-its kind, comprehensive treatment program addressing the psychological aftermath of trauma for veterans, service members, and family connected to their care. Funding from the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund will help THP expand its footprint to areas with low accessibility of mental health care and ensuring that the care journey is comprehensive and effective.
“This contribution from the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund will be used to help us grow the impact of our counseling services for our military community,” said Dan Kaepernik, Chief Executive Officer of The Headstrong Project. “We’re grateful to receive funding from an organization that is passionate about driving greater awareness and support for the mental health needs of military families and our efforts to make a difference. Together, we’ll work to help all veterans, service members and their families get the help they need to triumph over trauma.”
Stop Soldier Suicide (SSS) is the only national nonprofit focused solely on reducing the military suicide rate. Powered by relentless innovation, SSS delivers a one-of-a-kind suicide intervention model, informed by data insights and driven by a technology-first approach to reduce military and veteran suicide rates and save lives, regardless of period served or discharge status. The grant from the Lundbeck US Charitable Foundation will help SSS expand suicide prevention, counseling, and intervention in all 50 states.
“As we accelerate progress toward our goal of reducing military and veteran suicide rates by 40 percent no later than 2030, contributions from organizations like the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund help us deliver thousands of hours of evidence-based, suicide-specific care to some of the highest risk veterans struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviors,” said Chris Ford, USAF (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer of Stop Soldier Suicide. “Together, we can stand as allies against military suicide and for the mental wellness of the military and veteran communities.”
About the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund
Funded with support from the US affiliate of H. Lundbeck A/S, a global pharmaceutical company specialized in brain diseases, the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund is an independently managed nonprofit 501(c)(3) committed to responsibly and appropriately supporting organizations and programs that share our dedication to restoring brain health. For more than 70 years, Lundbeck has been at the forefront of neuroscience research, tirelessly dedicated to restoring brain health so every person can be their best.
References
- Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Among the Veteran Population Aged 18 and Older. May 3, 2023.
- Sharp ML, Fear NT, Rona RJ, Wessely S, Greenberg N, Jones N, Goodwin L. Stigma as a barrier to seeking health care among military personnel with mental health problems. Epidemiol Rev. 2015;37:144-62.
- VA Suicide Prevention, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. September 2022.
- National Center for PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. How common is PTSD in Veterans? Last accessed October 19, 2023.