The Power of Peer Support: How Veteran-to-Veteran Connection Strengthens Suicide Prevention
By Mackenzie Witt
Peer support is built on a foundation of shared experience and empathy, making it an impactful resource. When Veterans connect, they create a space where they can feel seen, heard, and validated without judgment. These connections help break down the walls of isolation and stigma that often surround mental health challenges.
But peer-to-peer connection is about more than conversation — it’s about rebuilding the camaraderie and sense of purpose that many Veterans lose after leaving the military. By fostering these connections, we can create networks of support that help Veterans thrive in their post-service lives.
This relationship is also deeply practical. Peers aren’t just listeners; they are guides. Many have navigated the systems themselves and are able to walk fellow Veterans through the process of navigating VA benefits, share strategies for finding meaningful post-service employment, applying to college, or connect a Veteran directly with local housing and benefits resources. This is where lived experience becomes an actionable skill.
What the Research Tells Us About Peer Support and Resilience
Research consistently shows that peer support lowers feelings of isolation and strengthens resilience — both critical in preventing suicide and promoting overall well-being. Sometimes, a simple conversation with a fellow Veteran can be the bridge that leads someone to professional resources. Other times, it serves as a lifeline in a moment of crisis. Peer networks — whether they’re formal VA programs, local community groups, or just two friends grabbing lunch — create a powerful safety net.
Importantly, peer support is not a substitute for clinical care, but it is a crucial supplement. Veterans are more likely to seek and maintain professional help when trusted peers reinforce the support. Shared military experience fosters credibility and trust that some Veterans may not find in traditional services alone. Peer programs not only decrease isolation but also help Veterans overcome stigma, disclose challenges earlier, and access necessary resources. These outcomes directly support national suicide prevention priorities, which focus on upstream engagement, reducing barriers to care, and strengthening protective factors.
By utilizing policy efforts to expand access to structured peer support, investing in training for Veteran peer specialists, and integrating peer networks into existing care systems, we can increase access to structured peer support. By embedding peer-to-peer connection into suicide prevention strategies, we honor the value of lived experience while building sustainable pathways to resilience, recovery, and long-term well-being for those who have served.
About the Author
Mackenzie Witt is a research analyst and stakeholder engagement expert with nearly two decades of dedicated service to military and veteran communities. She joined A-G Associates to work on Project Safeguard — a suicide prevention project for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Previously, she worked in the Veteran Service Organization non-profit space, where she helped promote Buddy Check Week. The initiative was ultimately signed into law.