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A Decision to Act
While veteran suicide rates and mental health issues continue to be a major problem across the U.S., officials in Alabama are stepping up to do something about it.
The Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee will provide grants valued at more than $3 million to five programs in the state to offer mental health care for veterans.
These organizations plan to give referrals for treatment to outpatient clinics for veterans struggling with substance abuse, along with both in-person and telehealth therapy, and PTSD treatment.
Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell said the grants help organizations fill a gap in veteran health care. Boswell serves as chair of the steering committee.
“A lot of individuals do not necessarily want to come to a mental health center, do not necessarily want to go to the federal Veterans Administration programs, and so they are really filling in a gap between those services where they can go to an independent, private provider to get services,” Boswell told the Alabama Reflector.
Organizations receiving grant funding include AltaPointe, a program in Mobile that delivers referrals for treatment, crisis care, preventive services, and education.
The Shoulder, a facility in Daphne helping veterans with residential substance use treatment and preventive services, will also receive grants. The Shoulder works to provide care for veterans battling addiction in rural areas and those who have fallen into legal issues.
Suicide Numbers High
Based on a 2025 study, almost 18 veterans die from suicide every day. High numbers, indeed, but Alabama’s suicide rate is higher than the national average.
According to the Reflector, about 35.4 veterans out of 100,000 took their own lives in 2021, which was also higher than Alabama’s general population rate.
Studies show veterans in Alabama also have a higher rate of TBI (traumatic brain injury), which can trigger additional mental health problems. Also, like many other states, Alabama veterans increasingly have more substance use challenges and mental illness than non-veterans.
Alabama’s health department received money for the grants through a national opioid drug settlement, and grant applications were evaluated before recipients were chosen.
Concerned with studies showing Alabama’s high veteran suicide rate, the state developed a comprehensive plan to address the issue, and the Alabama government designated $3 million for pilot programs.
Resource Center Builds Services
Earlier this year, the Alabama Legislature passed bill SB70 to form the state’s Veterans Resource Center. The five programs receiving grants will help the resource center by providing information on other organizations that veterans can go to for assistance.
In addition to mental health services, the resource center, which is slated to open in January in Montgomery, will offer career-building support, including counseling, job placement, education and career training courses.
Alabama Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Jeffrey Newton said the whole idea of the resource center is to help the state’s veterans with the transition from the military to civilian life.
“When they walk into this veterans resource center, it is going to be a one-stop shop, so whatever they need to help them with the transition, including their family members, we are there to help them,” Newton said.
Another goal of the center is to be a statewide hub and advocate for veterans so they can better connect to a wide range of services, from mental health to education and career training.
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13 Comments
The establishment of the Veterans Resource Center through bill SB70 is a complementary effort that could enhance the impact of these grants by providing a centralized hub for veterans to access various services and support.
Commissioner Kimberly Boswell’s point about filling a gap in veteran health care by providing referrals to independent, private providers is crucial, as many veterans may not seek help through traditional federal VA programs or mental health centers.
The distribution of funds to different types of programs, such as AltaPointe for referrals and crisis care, and The Shoulder for substance use treatment, indicates a nuanced understanding of the varied needs among veterans.
The $3 million grant allocation to boost veteran mental health services in Alabama is a significant step, especially considering the state’s higher-than-average veteran suicide rate of 35.4 per 100,000 in 2021, as reported by the Alabama Reflector.
It’s alarming to note that almost 18 veterans die from suicide every day, according to a 2025 study, and Alabama’s rate is even higher than the national average, highlighting the need for targeted interventions like these grants.
The connection between traumatic brain injury and increased mental health problems in veterans, as mentioned in the study, should also be a focus area for these grant-funded programs.
Given that substance use challenges and mental illness are more prevalent among Alabama veterans compared to non-veterans, it’s heartening to see The Shoulder, a facility focused on residential substance use treatment, among the grant recipients.
It’s essential for the public to be aware of these resources and for the state to actively promote the services offered by these grant-funded programs to reach as many veterans in need as possible.
Considering the comprehensive plan developed by the state to address the high veteran suicide rate, it would be beneficial to see how these grant-funded programs integrate with other statewide initiatives to ensure a cohesive approach to supporting veterans’ mental health.
I appreciate that the grants are funded through a national opioid drug settlement, as it underscores the recognition of the interconnected issues of substance use and mental health affecting veterans.
The fact that grant applications were evaluated before recipients were chosen suggests a thoughtful approach to distributing these funds, but I wonder how the state plans to sustain these programs beyond the initial funding period.
I’m curious about how the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee plans to measure the effectiveness of these grants and the programs they’re funding, such as AltaPointe and The Shoulder.
The committee should consider conducting regular assessments and gathering feedback from veterans who receive services through these programs to ensure they’re meeting their intended goals.