Reaching Underserved Veterans: Behind the Scenes at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference
As we continue to spotlight Suicide Prevention Month, it’s worth reflecting on DCG’s unique role in the partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP). DCG’s has a breadth of expertise in suicide prevention campaigns, demonstrated through its partnership with OSP since the days it was the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP), spanning multiple accounts and client teams.
The 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference was no exception regarding DCG’s support. With Trilogy Federal, LLC as the prime, and Ibility as an additional partner, we were able to provide top-down support from the event’s inception. The team managed everything from the event strategy to on-the-ground logistics in Portland, Oregon, and the after-action report (AAR). Our support ensured smooth sailing, enabling an impactful conference for close to 2,000 attendees, and ultimately brought together federal staff and healthcare clinicians to strengthen suicide prevention efforts for Veterans and Service members. Our team’s success directly ties back to our ability to adapt, communicate, and deliver on every detail — big or small.
Digital assets displayed at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference.
Design details at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference.
Large Scale Event Support: From Vision to Reality
This year’s theme, Reimagining Suicide Prevention: Evolving and Innovating to Meet Diverse Needs, emphasized the importance of addressing historically underserved Veteran and Service member groups, including women, LGBTQ+, and American Indian and Alaska Native populations. DCG and Trilogy worked in tandem with VA OSP and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) to encapsulate every aspect of the event in its goal to increase inclusivity and awareness, using it like a North Star. The health and well-being of the Nation’s Service members and Veterans continue to be a top priority for VA and DoD, and, in a united effort, they continue to partner together to host the only conference dedicated to addressing military and Veteran suicide prevention.
The Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon
Attendees checking in at registration at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference.
The event’s planning kicked off in October 2023, and from the start, it was clear that meticulous event coordination was going to be critical to the success of conference planning. We collaborated with key stakeholders, including leadership from both VA and DoD, to bring this event from planning to prospering. Our team’s role was not limited to strategy and planning, but it was essential to providing on-the-ground support throughout the conference; we excelled in the fast-paced, often chaotic environment, whether coordinating with vendors, managing tight timelines, or responding to last-minute challenges. Clear communication and defined roles ensured that every task — from managing breakout sessions to coordinating keynotes — was executed precisely.
DCG’s team at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference in Portland, Oregon.
VA, DoD, and DCG: Reimagining Suicide Prevention
The 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention conference was a resounding success, marking significant strides in our collective mission to address and reduce suicide rates among Service members and Veterans. The excitement was palpable when it came time for the event. The Oregon Convention Center buzzed as attendees, ranging from suicide prevention subject matter experts to clinicians to military service organizations, all gathered to #IncreasetheReach. The event underscored the ongoing need to adapt, expand, and learn to effectively reach all at-risk individuals.
Team DCG played a pivotal role in the success of this conference, leveraging our expertise to ensure the conference ran smoothly and reached a wide audience, thereby reimagining suicide prevention. DCG’s Senior Director of Strategy and Paid Media, Elizabeth Meyer, also attended and delivered a powerful breakout presentation e at the conference. Elizabeth, along with her Keep It Secure campaign team, showcased DCGers’ expansive efforts to reach Veterans, Service members, and their families with critical suicide prevention resources.
DCG’s Elizabeth Meyer presenting on the Keep it Secure campaign at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference.
From start-to-finish, DCG’s pipeline support strengthened our collaborative efforts with Trilogy, Ibility, and VA, and enhanced the ability of conference attendees to deliver impactful, transformative suicide prevention strategies to an underserved audience. As we mark this Suicide Prevention Month and every other month, let’s continue to #IncreasetheReach and well-being of our Service members, Veterans, and those who support them. DCG is committed as ever to providing helpful resources to Veterans and Service members in need.
Boilerplate:
Veterans can now reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number — 1–800–273–8255 and Press 1 — by text (838255), and through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).
Reaching Underserved Veterans: Behind the Scenes at the 2024 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference was originally published in DCG Life on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
