VA launches new financial resource website to help promote financial wellness and prevent Veteran suicide

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new website to help Veterans manage financial stressors that can affect their mental health and wellbeing. Developed by the National Veterans Financial Resource Center (FINVET), the website aims to boost protective factors that promote mental health and reduce suicide risk by helping Veterans learn about and manage their finances.

Economic and financial uncertainty can increase the risk of suicide. FINVET helps mitigate that risk by connecting Veterans to trustworthy financial tools, information, videos, calculators, and worksheets – serving as a one-stop website for Veterans to learn a variety of essential information to help meet their financial goals. Using simple navigation, FINVET empowers Veterans to learn about financial goals such as meeting basic needs, saving or earning more money, lowering bills and debt, and protecting their assets. The website pulls together resources from across more than 25 government agencies, including the Department of Labor, Federal Trade Commission, National Park Service, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ending Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority and a key part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. Moving forward, VA and the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to work urgently to reduce Veteran suicide through a public health approach that combines both community-based and clinically based strategies to save lives.

“We know that financial issues are linked to increased suicide risk in Veterans, as well as increased risk of homelessness,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “With this new website, our mission is to empower every Veteran to take advantage of financial tools and resources so they can earn more, save more, and avoid financial distress that can lead to suicidal ideation.”

In recent years, VA has worked aggressively to expand support for Veterans in crisis, including beginning to offer no-cost emergency suicide prevention care for eligible Veterans and certain former service members, launching the 988 (then press 1) to help Veterans connect more quickly with caring, qualified responders through the Veterans Crisis Line; collaborating with community-based suicide prevention organizations to provide Veterans with on-the-ground support; expanding firearm suicide prevention efforts; and encouraging Veterans to reach out for help through a national Veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign. 

The National Veterans Financial Resource Center was created by VA’s Office of Suicide Prevention in alignment with the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide and the President’s National Strategy for Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide. For more information about VA’s efforts, visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov.