(Community Matters 101) Battle Creek VA Working to Improve Veteran Suicide 'Epidemic'

The Veterans Administration Battle Creek health care center is working alongside its counterparts across the country to engage with vets who may be having suicidal thoughts.Amanda Briggs coordinates local engagement efforts prompted by the national COMPACT Act, which passed in 2021 but only began ramping up in fall 2023. She talks to Community Matters about what is considered an epidemic of suicide among veterans - and how they aim to help.Episode ResourcesVA Battle Creek Health CareMHA Explains the COMPACT ActSummit Pointe Veteran NavigatorCalhoun County Veterans Affairs OfficeNationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 9-8-8Summit Pointe-First StepABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.