United States Army veteran, Kyle, courtesy of Volunteers of America Michigan
Confronting a crisis that claims the well-being and sometimes the lives of those who once served, Volunteers of America Michigan (VOAMI) has launched a groundbreaking pilot program to dismantle the stigma silencing veterans battling mental health and substance use disorders.
Announced Tuesday at the organization’s Detroit Veterans Housing Program (DVHP), the “Breaking the Stigma” initiative embeds a therapist and case manager directly into the transitional housing facility to provide on-site care and build trust with veterans who often view treatment with skepticism or fear.
VOAMI President and CEO Aubrey Macfarlane emphasized veterans often come to get help at their lowest point, and what they need most is someone who will meet them with compassion and real solutions.
“This program is designed to provide a safe space where healing can begin without judgment,” Macfarlane said.
The trauma-informed, veteran-centered initiative was developed after a year of strategic planning and is backed by funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. It is designed to address long-standing barriers to care, such as shame, fear of being seen as weak, and previous negative experiences with healthcare systems that frequently prevent veterans from accessing critical support.
The Breaking the Stigma pilot program introduces a new model of care at Volunteers of America Michigan’s Detroit Veterans Housing Program, embedding both a therapist and a case manager on-site for the first time. This direct integration of mental health professionals aims to break through long-standing barriers that prevent veterans from seeking help, barriers often rooted in fear, shame, and previous negative experiences with institutional care. By meeting veterans in a familiar and trusted environment, the program seeks to foster connection and trust, providing a safe space for healing to begin.
Participants in the program will have access to a full spectrum of support services, including both group and individual therapy, case management, and 12-step meetings through Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Treatment is tailored to individual needs using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Treatment, Relapse Prevention, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Veterans will receive healthcare navigation assistance to help them access benefits and services available through the VA, Medicaid, or Medicare. A core focus of the initiative is to challenge stigma, particularly the perception that seeking help is a sign of weakness, and to rebuild trust in mental health and substance use treatment systems.
A key element of the approach is stigma reduction. By normalizing help-seeking behavior and placing support within the familiar environment of DVHP, organizers hope to shift the cultural perception that seeking mental health care is a sign of weakness.
According to VOAMI, roughly 70% of veterans in its transitional housing program are struggling with substance use challenges. Around 40% of those served through VOAMI’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) also face substance-related issues. Mental health concerns are similarly widespread; more than a third of VOAMI’s social service clients have a diagnosed mental health condition, and the organization estimates that up to 70% of others may have undiagnosed mental health needs.
National data paints a similarly dire picture. Nearly half of homeless veterans experience substance use disorders, and one in 10 veterans nationally meets the criteria for a substance use disorder. Alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance among veterans, with usage rates nearly double that of the general population. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among veterans under the age of 45.
United States Army veteran Kyle shared his need for services during the pandemic with VOAMI. As a veteran of the United States Army, it can be easily said that he is sometimes a forgotten class and group in American life.
“We’re often and easily disregarded, discarded, and most times, taken advantage of. But with VOA, I was made to feel as I mattered. As if my service was worth something. That feeling is one that will never leave me,” Kyle said.
“But I, only just one man, know and understand that in a world where hope and faith can be hard to find sometimes, Volunteers of America Michigan and their staff showed me that hope in your fellow man and faith in promises can truly be worth more than just what you hear on the television and radio.”
VOAMI, which provides services including housing, shelter, and support for veterans, seniors, and families across Michigan, sees the pilot program as an essential part of the mental health and housing continuum. Leaders say the model aims to intervene before veterans reach crisis points that lead to hospitalization, long-term instability, or worse.
The program’s success could serve as a template for future efforts statewide as VOAMI looks to expand the model if outcomes are strong.
“Too many of our nation’s heroes are suffering in silence,” Macfarlane said.
“This program creates a bridge from stigma and isolation to support, treatment, and lasting recovery.”
For more information about the Breaking the Stigma pilot program or other VOAMI services, visit voami.org.
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