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  • Get Help Now
  • Veterans
  • Families
  • Programs
  • Resources
  • About
  • Donate

PROGRAMS

VMHC helps veterans, families, and communities find trusted resources and clear pathways to support. Explore our programs to find the right fit for getting help, volunteering, or partnering with VMHC. 

BECOME A COMMUNITY PARTNER

Check Us Out

Resource Navigation Academy

Resource Navigation Academy

Want to get involved? Join a monthly VMHC meeting or workgroup to learn more, meet the team, and find a role that fits your interests and availability. 

Get Involved

Resource Navigation Academy

Resource Navigation Academy

Resource Navigation Academy

Practical education that helps veterans and families understand where to go, what to ask, and how to access the support available to them.


Learn More

Coffee & Connection

Resource Navigation Academy

Suicide Prevention Program

Low-pressure gatherings where veterans, families, and supporters can connect, talk honestly, and reduce isolation.


Get Connected

Suicide Prevention Program

Suicide Prevention Program

Suicide Prevention Program

Practical suicide prevention education focused on safe storage, warning signs, and creating time and distance during crisis. 


Learn More

MHFA for Veterans

Suicide Prevention Program

MHFA for Veterans

Mental Health First Aid for Veterans teaches people how to recognize concerns early, respond with confidence, and connect veterans to the right support. 

Sign Up

Buddy Check 22

Suicide Prevention Program

MHFA for Veterans

Buddy Check 22 reduces isolation through simple check-ins that remind veterans they are not alone and encourage connection before crisis. 


Learn More

CHECK US OUT

The best way to understand VMHC is to experience it. Join a monthly business meeting or workgroup to learn what we do, meet the people behind the mission, and see where your skills, interests, or experience might fit. Whether you want to volunteer regularly or simply learn more, you are welcome to check us out with no pressure and no long-term commitment. 

VIRTUAL STRATEGY MEETING

1st Tuesday of Every Month @ 6PM CST

Dive into meaningful projects and make a difference. These sessions are where ideas take shape, plans are crafted, and real progress happens. Whether you're looking to learn more or actively contribute, your voice and efforts matter here. 

ATTEND WORKGROUP

VIRTUAL BUSINESS MEETING

2nd Tuesday of Each Month @ 6PM CST

Stay informed about our ongoing activities and projects. Get the latest updates, hear detailed status reports, and gain insight into everything we’re working on. Your participation helps drive our collective success!

ATTEND BUSINESS MEETING

RESOURCE NAVIGATION ACADEMY

What It Is

The Veteran Navigation Academy helps veterans and families understand how to find and access mental health support through the VA, community programs, and trusted local resources. This program gives people practical knowledge so they can advocate for themselves, ask better questions, understand available programs, and avoid getting stuck in a confusing system.


  • Workshops on VA navigation, community care, crisis resources, and local support options
  • Step-by-step guides and resource sheets
  • Guest speakers with direct experience navigating veteran support systems
  • Practical tools for preparing for appointments and asking for help
  • Education for both veterans and family members

Get Workshop & Resource Updates

Volunteer Opportunities

Help veterans and families understand the system instead of getting lost in it. Volunteers support education, resource research, workshops, and practical navigation tools that help people know where to go, what to ask, and how to advocate for themselves. 


  • VA Navigation SME
  • Veteran Mentor
  • Family Advocate
  • Workshop Facilitator
  • Resource Research
  • Event Host/Moderator

Become a Volunteer

COFFEE & CONNECTION

What It Is

Coffee & Connection creates simple, low-pressure opportunities for veterans, families, caregivers, and supporters to reduce isolation, build trust, and connect with others who understand the weight of military service, transition, caregiving, grief, trauma, and mental health concerns. This is not therapy or a clinical group. It is a place to show up, be seen, and have honest conversations without pressure or judgment.


  • Monthly or quarterly coffee meetups
  • Informal conversation and guided discussion topics
  • Guest speakers or resource spotlights when appropriate
  • Separate veteran and family-focused conversations when needed
  • Resource sharing and connection to next-step support

Sign Up for Event Notices

Volunteer Opportunities

Help create spaces where veterans and families feel seen, not managed. Volunteers welcome participants, host gatherings, support logistics, and help make connection feel simple, human, and accessible. 

 

  • Event Host
  • Greeters
  • Veteran Ambassador
  • Family Fmbassador
  • Setup and Logistics 
  • Follow-up Outreach 

Volunteer for Coffee & Connection

SUICIDE PREVENTION

What It Is

Safe Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention Outreach focuses on practical steps that can reduce suicide risk by helping veterans, families, and communities understand warning signs, crisis response, safe storage, and the importance of creating time and distance during moments of crisis. Because many veteran suicides involve firearms, this program approaches safe storage with respect, common sense, and no political theater. The message is simple: temporary barriers can save lives.


  • Gun lock distribution
  • Suicide prevention education
  • Safe storage conversations and materials
  • Warning sign education for families and community members
  • Outreach at veteran events, community events, and partner organizations
  • Clear information on crisis resources, including 988

Join Suicide Prevention Outreach

Volunteer Opportunities

Help create time, distance, and options during crisis. Volunteers support suicide prevention education, gun lock distribution, event outreach, partner coordination, and clear crisis-resource messaging. 

 

  • Outreach
  • Tabling Event Support
  • Gun Lock Distribution 
  • Suicide Prevention Educator
  • Community Partner Liason
  • Materials and Logistics

Volunteer for Suicide Prevention Outreach

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID FOR VETERANS

What It Is

Mental Health First Aid for Veterans teaches community members how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges, respond safely, and connect veterans to appropriate support. This program is not therapy or crisis care. It is practical training that helps people notice concerns earlier, have better conversations, and know when and where to refer someone for help.


  • Mental health and substance use warning signs
  • How to approach a veteran with concern and respect
  • How to listen without trying to “fix” the person
  • How to respond during a developing crisis
  • Where to refer veterans and families for help
  • Practical tools for families, volunteers, employers, and community partners

Get Notified

Volunteer Opportunities

Help VMHC expand mental health literacy so more people know how to recognize concern and respond appropriately.


  • Certified Instructor
  • Training Coordinator
  • Community Outreach Volunteer

Volunteer for MHFA for Veterans

BUDDY CHECK 22

What It Is

Buddy Check 22 is a simple outreach program that encourages regular check-ins with veterans to reduce isolation, strengthen connection, and remind people they are not alone. The goal is not to provide counseling or case management. It is to create consistent human contact, notice when someone may be struggling, and help connect them to the right support when needed.


  • Monthly check-ins by phone, text, or email
  • Outreach around birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and hard dates
  • Simple conversation prompts for volunteers
  • Clear escalation guidance when concern increases
  • Connection to trusted resources when someone needs help
  • Follow-up to reduce isolation and build trust over time

Request Monthly Check-In

Volunteer Opportunities

Help VMHC keep veterans connected through consistent, respectful check-ins that can make a real difference.


  • Buddy Check Volunteer 
  • Family Outreach Volunteer 
  • Escalation Support Volunteer 
  • Program Coordinator

Check In on a Veteran

PHOTO GALLERY

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    Veterans Mental Health Council

    Copyright © 2026 VMHC - All Rights Reserved.


    4601 WREN WOOD DRIVE | COLUMBIA, mo 65202 | (660) 851-5414

    INFO@VETERANSMENTALHEALTHCOUNCIL.ORG

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