Face the Fight coalition convenes in Louisville with new Humana Foundation funding to reduce veteran suicide

National coalition meets locally amid new funding commitment

Louisville hosted a multi-sector gathering this week focused on reducing suicide among U.S. military veterans, as members of the Face the Fight coalition met to align strategies, share program learnings and coordinate work across communities. Organizers said roughly 250 coalition participants attended, representing philanthropy, business, nonprofit organizations and government-linked partners.

The meeting coincided with a new financial commitment from the Humana Foundation. The coalition reported receiving $4.6 million in new support this week to expand prevention work, including efforts intended to strengthen community-based services and reduce barriers to care. The convening also set priorities described as extending into 2026 and beyond.

What Face the Fight is and what it says it aims to do

Face the Fight launched in 2023 as a national initiative designed to bring together organizations working on veteran and military suicide prevention. Its public targets include measurable reductions in suicide deaths over time, and coalition leaders have described long-range goals tied to outcomes by 2032.

At the Louisville gathering, coalition leaders emphasized that veteran suicide is not addressed by a single intervention. The coalition highlighted multiple approaches, including safer firearm storage practices, peer-to-peer support and expanding access to evidence-based mental health care.

• Coordination across providers and community organizations to improve referral pathways and follow-up
• Training and education intended to help communities identify risk and respond earlier
• Peer connection models aimed at reducing isolation during and after military transition
• Risk-reduction measures, including secure firearm storage as a prevention strategy

Why the issue remains a focus for public health and community systems

Suicide among veterans remains a persistent national concern. At the Louisville meeting, coalition representatives cited a national veteran suicide rate of about 35 deaths per 100,000 people, described as nearly double the rate for non-veterans. The coalition also pointed to elevated risk among younger adults, particularly those ages 18 to 34.

Speakers connected the coalition’s work to the stresses that can intensify for service members, veterans and military families during periods of heightened international conflict. Participants discussed the need for preparedness and continuity of support when individuals return from deployments and transition back into civilian life.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 in the United States.

What comes next in Louisville and beyond

Coalition leaders said the Louisville convening was intended to tighten coordination across organizations already working in the space and to accelerate initiatives supported by recent philanthropic investment. The coalition’s next steps include continued grant-supported programming, broader community training and expanding the availability of connected services designed to reach veterans before a crisis becomes fatal.