Cabana Launches Community-Based Suicide Prevention Pilot in Partnership with VA and Local Veteran Organizations

Annapolis, MD — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded Cabana an initial one-year contract—with the potential for a second-year expansion—to launch a community-based suicide prevention initiative aimed at strengthening local systems of care for Veterans through community-based outreach and virtual peer support. The pilot will be implemented in partnership with Upstate Warrior Solution (UWS) in South Carolina and Veterans Bridge Home (VBH) in North Carolina—two inaugural grantees of VA’s Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP).

The project builds on Cabana’s recognition as a VA MissionDaybreak awardee, advancing VA’s innovation strategy by embedding Cabana’s virtual peer group support platform directly into the outreach efforts of its community-based partners. By bringing together two major VA investments—MissionDaybreak’s national innovation focus and the on-the-ground expertise and reach of SSG Fox program grantees—the pilot aims to strengthen suicide prevention through technology, trusted relationships, and timely human connection.

 “This is a first-of-its-kind effort to bridge VA’s innovation and community-based suicide prevention priorities,” said Dr. Nick Armstrong, Cabana’s Head of Public Sector. “We’re testing how we can connect Veterans to meaningful peer support earlier—before they reach a crisis point—through trusted, community-based channels.”

‍A Coordinated Community Response
Upstate Warrior Solution and Veterans Bridge Home will serve as anchor partners in the pilot, leveraging their deep ties and trust with local Veterans, VA facilities, and social service networks to identify and engage those at risk. Both organizations are nationally recognized for their leadership in coordinated Veteran care and suicide prevention through the SSGFox program.

“Veterans trust us because we meet them where they are,”said Charlie Hall, President of Upstate Warrior Solution. “Cabana gives us another way to extend that trust—by connecting them to others who understand what they’re going through.”

For these partners, the pilot is about expanding the range of options they can offer to Veterans—especially those who may be hesitant to seek support through traditional systems.

“We’re proud to help bring this to life,” said Blake Bourne, Executive Director of Veterans Bridge Home. “Our teams are deeply committed to finding new ways to reduce suicide risk through connection, compassion, and early action.”

Through this 12-month pilot, referred Veterans will access Cabana’s virtual peer support platform, which provides small-group, moderator-led sessions focused on daily peer support, connection, and building resiliency. Cabana’s model offers full privacy and anonymity, allowing Veterans to participate with cameras off, aliases, and optional voice masking—removing barriers to help-seeking while preserving safety and discretion.

Leadership, Evaluation, & Impact
‍The pilot will be managed day-to-day by Chris Morris, Cabana’s newly appointed Program Manager. A retired U.S. Army Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel and Founder of LevL3 Consulting, Morris brings decades of operational leadership, defense sector experience, and a deep personal commitment to Veteran well-being.

“You don’t always know who’s struggling—and sometimes, it’s the smallest conversations that open the door to bigger steps. I’m honored to continue to serve fellow Veterans, especially those who may not even know what kind of help they’re ready for. Cabana can be that first step.”

To ensure the effort generates actionable insights for future scaling, the pilot will be independently evaluated by the Penn State Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Their evaluation will assess implementation feasibility, Veteran engagement, referral coordination, and alignment between community-based support and VA systems—laying the groundwork for broader integration and impact.

What’s Next
The pilot launches this month with our two community partners—Upstate Warrior Solution and Veterans Bridge Home—serving Veterans across the I-85 corridor, including Upstate South Carolina and the greaterCharlotte region. These initial sites will serve as proving grounds to test and refine how community-based outreach and virtual peer support can work together to reach Veterans earlier.

Pending performance milestones and Veteran engagement metrics, the pilot is expected to expand in year two to three additional SSG Fox grantee communities—broadening its reach and testing new implementation models in diverse local contexts.

Media Contact
Nick Armstrong, Ph.D.
Head of Public Sector, Cabana
nick@cabanahealth.org

About Cabana™
Cabana is a leading, modern mental health provider offering confidential, tech-enabled support solutions tailored to the needs of diverse communities. Through live, professionally moderated group sessions, evidence-based content, and adaptable wellness tools, Cabana helps individuals proactively manage their mental health. Our mission is clear: to make mental health care more accessible through technology and human connection.

About Upstate Warrior Solution
Since its founding in 2013, Upstate Warrior Solution has been a vital resource for veterans and their families across the Upstate of South Carolina, offering comprehensive outreach and coordinated case management. To date, the organization has assisted more than 12,000 warriors and their loved ones with critical services including housing, employment, healthcare and benefits, education, legal, and family support. Upstate Warrior Solution also holds the distinction of being the only veteran-serving organization in South Carolina currently partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program. This collaboration supports the development and implementation of strategic, community-based suicide prevention efforts aimed at reducing veteran suicide across the Upstate.

About Veterans Bridge Home
Veterans Bridge Home is a committed advocate for service members, veterans, and their families, striving to create stronger communities one veteran at a time. With a mission to connect, lead, and advocate, we focus on providing tailored support services, fostering community integration, and building cross-sector partnerships to ensure that every veteran is supported, connected, and respected. Through a proven process of engagement, care, connection, advocacy, and celebration, Veterans Bridge Home upholds its promise that every veteran matters and is an integral part of our community. For more information, please visit VETERANSBRIDGEHOME.ORG.

About VA Mission Daybreak & SSG Fox SuicidePrevention Grant Program
Mission Daybreak is a $20 million VA Grand Challenge designed to accelerate innovation in suicide prevention. While the competition phase concluded in 2023, Mission Daybreak continues as an evolving innovation ecosystem—supporting solutions that meet Veterans where they are and bridging gaps between technology, care, and community.

The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program expands VA’s reach by funding community-based organizations that deliver upstream prevention—through peer support, outreach, and service navigation—especially for Veterans who are not yet connected to VA services.