Healing Winds delivers structured peer support and mental health outreach through maritime-based engagement — reducing social isolation, improving well-being, and providing every participant a direct linkage to VA care and services.
* Targets established per VA FY27 NOFO SSG Fox SPGP program outcome requirements
A structured, three-phase process from initial outreach to ongoing engagement — every step aligned with VA suicide prevention best practices.
Trained Veteran outreach specialists engage at-risk community members through trusted peer networks, community partners, and VA-affiliated referral pathways. Prospective participants complete a Program Intake Form — the formal entry point for our screening protocol.
Addresses: Outreach to high-risk Veterans · Community partnerships · Non-clinical access points
Prior to program participation, each enrollee completes a confidential baseline assessment using validated instruments (C-SSRS · PHQ-9). A licensed clinical supervisor reviews results. Participants identified as high-risk are connected immediately to VA mental health services via warm handoff.
Addresses: Baseline screening requirement · Linkage to VA care · Crisis intervention protocol
Cleared participants join structured maritime engagement sessions — facilitated by Veteran peer support specialists. Each session is designed to reduce isolation, build social connectedness, and reinforce help-seeking behavior. Follow-up screenings occur at 30, 60, and 90 days.
NOFO Alignment
Addresses: Social connectedness · Peer support delivery · Longitudinal well-being tracking
Traditional clinical settings present documented access barriers for at-risk Veterans — stigma, transportation, and low initial engagement rates. Our program addresses this gap by delivering peer support in a low-stigma, high-engagement community environment.
Maritime engagement sessions are not recreational events. They are structured therapeutic interventions facilitated by credentialed Veteran Peer Support Specialists, operating under clinical supervision and embedded within a broader case management and linkage-to-care framework.
Veterans and service members experiencing elevated suicide risk factors including social isolation, transition stress, and low VA service utilization. Priority populations include post-9/11 Veterans, rural Veterans, and those with prior crisis episodes.
All sessions are staffed by VA-certified Veteran Peer Support Specialists with clinical oversight from a licensed mental health professional. A safety protocol is activated for any participant presenting acute risk indicators.
Seasonal engagement schedule of 8–12 structured sessions per cohort. Each session runs 3–4 hours with a required pre-session check-in and post-session debrief conducted by a peer specialist.
Every service we provide is embedded within the VA's suicide prevention continuum of care.
All enrollees complete a confidential baseline assessment prior to program participation:
Assigned Veteran peer support specialists provide individualized engagement throughout the program:
Warm referral and active coordination with VA facilities and community partners:
Our program operates in full accordance with 38 C.F.R. Part 78 and the FY27 SSG Fox SPGP NOFO requirements.
Completing this form initiates your official enrollment into the Healing Winds program. The information below is the first step of our Baseline Mental Health Screening process, required for all participants under our VA SSG Fox grant protocols. All information is confidential.
Thank you. A member of our program team will contact you within 2 business days to schedule your baseline screening appointment. If you need support sooner, please call 988 (press 1) or text 838255.