September Is Suicide Prevention Month: VA and Ad Council Launch Buddy Check Week for Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ad Council launched "Buddy Check Week" in September 2026 as part of Suicide Prevention Month, encouraging veterans to check on one another. The campaign comes as mental health professionals report that 38 percent of Americans planned mental health-related New Year's resolutions for 2026, a five-percent increase from the prior year. Younger adults ages 18 to 34 are driving the trend.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ad Council launched "Buddy Check Week" in September 2026 as part of Suicide Prevention Month, encouraging veterans to reach out and check on one another.
The campaign asks veterans to contact fellow service members they may have lost touch with, particularly those who may be struggling with isolation, depression, or the transition to civilian life. The VA says peer connection is one of the most effective tools for suicide prevention among veterans.
September is observed nationally as Suicide Prevention Month. Mental health organizations, hospitals, and community groups use the month to raise awareness, share resources, and reduce the stigma around seeking help.
The campaign comes as new data shows growing public engagement with mental health. According to the American Psychiatric Association's Healthy Minds Poll, 38% of Americans planned to make mental health-related New Year's resolutions for 2026, a 5% increase from the previous year. The trend is most pronounced among younger adults ages 18 to 34.
Psychiatric Times designated September 2026 as a month focused on depressive disorders, citing World Health Organization data showing that an estimated 5.7% of adults worldwide are affected by depression.
Researchers are also making progress on treatment. New 52-week open-label data from a Phase 3 trial indicates that psilocybin therapy provides year-long relief for treatment-resistant depression. The FDA also granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to a new compound for Major Depressive Disorder.
For veterans specifically, the VA offers a range of mental health services including the Veterans Crisis Line, which can be reached by calling 988 and pressing 1. Text services and online chat are also available.
Buddy Check Week runs throughout the third week of September. The VA and Ad Council are encouraging veterans, their families, and supporters to share the campaign on social media using the hashtag BuddyCheck.
