MOBILE, Ala. — The GulfQuest Maritime Museum became the gathering point Wednesday for a summit aimed at coordinating help for veterans facing a mental health crisis.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates as many as 20 veterans a day die by suicide linked to depression, post-traumatic stress or substance abuse. Community agencies met with the VA to align on the services available across the region.
One resource highlighted was Dryhootch.org, a veterans-helping-veterans organization founded in Milwaukee that has assisted about 10,000 veterans over a decade. Vietnam veteran Bob Curry is working to bring the model to Mobile, describing a community center run by veterans as a low-key, non-threatening place for peers to connect and get support.