VA partners with Televeda to expand suicide prevention for Indigenous veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded a contract to Televeda, a community engagement platform, to pilot and expand the Hero’s Story Project, according to a Business Wire release. The culturally tailored suicide prevention program targets American Indian and Alaska Native veterans in Arizona and New Mexico, focusing on rural frontier communities.

The program combines traditional healing practices like talking circles and storytelling with evidence-based peer support. Special attention will support women veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma. Televeda plans to formalize partnerships with tribal governments and veteran service organizations while expanding program evaluation to improve effectiveness.

“We are deeply grateful to the VA, our tribal and community partners, and the veterans who have helped shape this important work,” said Mayank Mishra, co-founder of Televeda. The project is part of the VA’s Mission Daybreak initiative.