Veteran Support

Sponsor Organization: Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America
Campaign Website: www.iava.org, www.SupportYourVet.org
Volunteer Agency: BBDO; Saatchi & Saatchi NY

Of the nearly 2 million veterans who have served or are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, nearly fifty percent will face serious mental health issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression or Traumatic Brain Injury.

Research shows that many veterans avoid seeking help because of the stigma associated with treatment or fear of being diagnosed with a mental illness. Untreated mental health conditions can lead to other debilitating problems in the veterans’ community including high rates of unemployment, suicide, homelessness, substance abuse, divorce, and child abuse. By maintaining relationships and communicating regularly with others who have shared experiences, veterans are better able to reconnect with their friends, families and their communities.

To help ease the transition and readjustment challenges facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans as they return home, PSAs encourage them to join the online community at www.iava.org, a private social network where they can access critical resources and share experiences in a safe forum.

First launched on Veterans Day 2008 the campaign has already proven to be effective with over 700,000 visits to the site, and thousands of member veterans engaging in the community daily. 

A complementary series of ads launched last spring to empower the family and friends of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to start the conversations needed to help veterans transition to civilian life. The PSAs direct friends and family members to visit www.SupportYourVet.org, where they can engage with one another in an online forum, access conversation tips and critical mental health resources, and information about navigating the VA.