People across the country are struggling with loneliness and seeking connection, warns a recent announcement by the U.S. Surgeon General. The advisory highlights “the public health crisis of loneliness” and notes that approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness, even before the pandemic.
Many Veterans face this same challenge as they transition to civilian life. In fact, the latest Annual Warrior Survey from Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) shows that nearly 7 in 10 (66.3%) WWP-registered warriors are lonely.
Through WWP’s Stream to Serve program, livestreaming and gaming has become an effective way to address this challenge and help Veterans connect with others, while also empowering supporters to raise funds for wounded, ill and injured warriors.
What is WWP’s Livestreaming and Gaming program and who can get involved?
WWP uses livestreaming and gaming to connect warriors and their families to lifesaving programs and services, while also giving them a chance to game and stream what they love. Many Veterans are comfortable in this space, and their passion for streaming and gaming has created a low-barrier pathway to learn more about available support.
Army Veteran Ricky Olguin had a tough time after he was medically retired from the military. When he found WWP, he started to participate in weekly gaming events, and he eventually became a WWP gaming volunteer. He now hosts events where he can give back to other warriors and his community.
“I felt useless, like I didn’t want to be alive,” Olguin said. “I decided to get help and was told to sign up with Wounded Warrior Project. Gradually, my life got better. Overall, being a part of Wounded Warrior Project has been an amazing experience.”
Through WWP’s Stream to Serve initiative, the organization also empowers supporters to stream while raising critical funds for warriors and their families. For example, WWP recently held its Capture the Flag campaign, a three-week livestreaming event that extended from Military Appreciation Month in May to Flag Day in June.
How can people get involved?
Post-9/11 wounded warriors and their family members can register with WWP via the organization’s Resource Center online or via phone. Once registered, warriors and their family members can express interest in WWP’s livestreaming and gaming activities. The organization will connect them to upcoming opportunities.
Veterans and streamers can get involved in events simply by visiting WWP’s Twitch page. For those just venturing into the livestreaming world, Twitch is a free social media platform where viewers can follow organizations and people that interest them. They do not need to have a Twitch account or be registered with WWP to join the fun!
Those interested in streaming on behalf of WWP can learn more here.
What to expect after registering?
Veterans who participate in WWP’s livestreaming and gaming activities find strength through community and a low-barrier tool to cope with stress. Similarly, streamers find a community of supporters helping warriors get back on track and become a positive force in their communities.
With programs like livestreaming and gaming, WWP meets Veterans where they are on their journey to recovery and helps them reach their highest ambitions.
Learn more about WWP’s free programs and services for warriors and their families.
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Like so many other older Vets I do not qualify. I’m fortunate enough to already have an online community of which I am a welcome member. Not only am I actively involved in the leadership of Cats on Furniture one the NA server of ESO, but I play a weekly game of GURPS on Discord. It’s been 25 years since I was a player and it is a real treat.
No thank you. This group discriminates against veterans. They won’t help you unless you have a physical disability and have a rating already. They won’t help any veteran who has mental conditions due to the army and who doesn’t have a rating!!! Not a group I’d ever support…
I belong to a great organization called Military Gamers. http://www.militarygamers.com Been gaming with these guys for many years. Young and old gamers.
WHAT ABOUT OLD-FART WARRIORS? 69 YEARS YOUNG AND I FIND THAT MOST OF MY OLD PLAYMATES ARE GONE. WE COULD USE A BOOST TO. LIKE HAVE THE YOUNGER WARRIORS CALL US UP AND THREATON TO BEAT US SENCELESS WITH A DECK OF CARDS AND A CRIBAGE BOARD.
I totally agree with you brother. I’m bored and because of my disability find myself wondering what can I do with myself.
Not sure I understand why they need a special VA supported web site to play games on. There are many games online that have free to play capabilities. Everquest is my favorite and each player is free to join guilds with other players and groups of up to 6 can go on various adventures and quests. I also play Forge of Empires while not an action game you are encouraged to join guilds and go on expeditions. Many prefer World of Warcraft which I tried and went back to Everquest. I’ve been playing now for nearly 21 years and have 2 pay accounts and a free to play account just so I could try different things in the game. I haven’t really looked much further than that because I can’t do the shooter type games which require your hands to be in good condition. After a botched carpal tunnel surgery just typing this much hurts. I realize that my disability is so slight that many would wish they had it so good. But what I like about Everquest besides the camaraderie is that you set up your character as best you can and your attacks and defenses are largely what armor and weapons you have. These determine how fast you attack something and all you do once your character is set up, is the select an opponent and then press your attack key. The attack is pretty much automatic from that point. You do have the option, depending on your type of character to cast spells every so often to render your opponent more damaged than just the regular attacks. There’s much more to it than that. You can play “good” characters like High Elves or Wood elves, dwarfs, halflings, barbarians, and others. There are also “evil” characters like dark elves, Heretics, and many can be played either way depending on what you choose to do. Depending on the race you choose you can be a magician, a shaman, a necromancer, a cleric, a paladin, a warrior, a monk, an enchanter and others. It’s a lot of fun. There are days when I forget to eat, and I forget to take my pain meds.
Another thing people can do is get your amateur radio operator (Ham) license and talk to people all over. Join a club. I’m a Ham coming up on my first time to renew my license. Wouldn’t think of letting it go. There are activities that can be done from home, or from local parks and such. Field day where we practice working out of a temporary location. I wish they’d have this one early in the spring. July where I live is way to hot to be out if you’re sensitive to the heat.
Anyway, lots of things to do that aren’t necessarily sponsored by the VA if you just look for them.
Korea & Vietnam vet at home on hospice care and can not qualify. You call this fair?
I am a disabled Veteran and although my injuries were broken knee caps in service am I allowed to take part in the gamming program. I do not want to take anything away from wounded Veterans. I live by myself so any contacts will be nice. I have done a lot of things for local Veterans groups.
Don’t feel too Bad I’m cold War era Vet, 100% P&T and we’re all losers in WWPs eyes.
Army vet interested!
Army veteran, interested in registering up.
I am a wounded warrior..from going from perfect health to now not knowing if I will go any second..when I first inquired about this project being only for certain Era of vets I was shocked..after reading about the video gaming I was saddened because I don’t qualify..what about the rest of us? I love gaming..but I get nothing..what a slap in the face
So are you saying vietnam veteran can participate. Iam a call of duty fan . Do i qualify
Gaming has helped me tremedously. I would love to volunteer if the opportunity arises!
It’s unfortunate that pre-9/11 disabled combat veterans are not eligible for joining “Wounded Warriors Project”.
Interested to know more about supporting the wounded warriors program and the gaming events
How can WWP exclude veterans before 2001? Veterans are veterans no matter what year they served and they all struggle. What a disgrace to even discredit the Vietnam veterans too. I am veteran with PTSD/MST 100% PT and I don’t qualify. What a shame to divide us!
I guess Veterans prior to 9/11 are not good enough? WWP can put it you know where!
So Vietnam vets are not invited to participate in wounded warrior events. So what are we? Chopped liver?