Blue Star Support Circles

Blue Star Support Circles: Upstream Solutions to Crisis is a facilitated, non-clinical, innovative peer-based program that will bring veteran and service member friend networks together to connect, learn, and support each other in a safe and virtual environment. 

Our mission is to empower military and veteran family members to recognize, understand, and intervene with their service member or veteran before their struggle becomes a crisis. 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced a $52,500,000 grant program called the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) to address the service member and veteran suicide crisis.

Blue Star Families is honored to be one of the organizations selected to empower family members to be part of the solution in a meaningful way.

Through this grant, Blue Star Families is launching this first-of-its-kind pilot program – Blue Star Support Circles: Upstream Solutions to Crisis, geared toward creating proactive solutions for military and veteran families.

If you are connected to a veteran or service member who you would like to support, you are eligible to participate.

First, you will fill out a "pre-survey," also known as an eligibility survey. You can access that in the "I'm Interested in Participating" tab.

Then, you will be contacted by someone at Blue Star Families to determine your eligibility and availability for joining a cohort. 

During this call, you will also be given detailed information about the schedule and what is needed, and you will be able to get answers to any additional questions you may have.

Confidentiality is essential. We expect each person to respect and maintain the group’s confidentiality. What is said in the group is not to be repeated or discussed at any other time or place.**

**Limits of confidentiality: If a member expresses intent to harm themselves or others, or there is suspected abuse of a child, elder, or disabled individual, the community manager will utilize appropriate resources to ensure everyone’s safety is met and maintained.

There is no cost to participate. Virtual sessions meet for 90 minutes each week for the 8-week session.

Yes! If you know of someone who might be interested in or a good fit for a Blue Star Support Circles cohort, please direct them to this page, and they can fill out a form on the "I'm Interested in Participating" section.

If you can dedicate one hour per week for eight weeks to learn more about supporting someone with mental health needs and want to do that in a group setting, then you are ready! 

If you are still unsure or have more questions, you can reach out to Heather Diehl, Director of Peer Support and Suicide Prevention Programs, at [email protected].

If you or your loved one have suicidal thoughts or actions, seek help at the nearest emergency room or call 988 (press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line) for mental health emergencies.

You may also chat confidentially online with someone 24/7 at the Veterans Crisis Line website.

Absolutely! The Department of Veterans Affairs is a great place to start learning about programs, services, and resources available to you and your loved one.

First, thank you for your interest in this program! If you are a Veteran or service member, you can find your nearest VA Vet Center to access mental health resources, support, and outreach opportunities. 

For more information about supporting a loved one with mental illness, check out the National Institute of Mental Health, MentalHealth.gov, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

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