Loving kindness meditation is a specific practice that invites us to cultivate warmth and love for others and ourselves. When I first heard the phrase “loving-kindness,” it felt distant and unfamiliar, and I wanted to keep it that way. It implied that I needed to sit and experience more of my internal world to… what?…
Plan your future with VA’s Military Life Cycle (MLC) modules
We’ve all fallen down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling, from adorable baby videos to mind-blowing dance moves, and lawns that are practically a work of art. But while you’re enjoying the latest viral sensation, have you paused to think about planning your future? VA’s Military Life Cycle (MLC) modules are here to help you…
Practical skills for Veterans to lower suicide risk
You can take steps every day to manage challenges before they build into something bigger Suicide prevention isn’t only about what happens before or during a crisis. It’s also about the practical skills you use every day to handle stress, frustration, isolation or major life changes before they pile up. If you’re adjusting to civilian…
Whole Health services improve outcomes for Veterans
New data shows Whole Health boosts outcomes and engagement for Veterans Veterans are seeing meaningful improvements in their health and well-being through VA’s Whole Health services. Recent findings from several national studies show that Veterans who participate in Whole Health experience stronger support, improved physical and mental health, and better long-term outcomes than those receiving…
How VA nurses are enabling access to care
Across the country, nurses at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are leading innovative efforts to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care, no matter where they live. From rural outreach to coordinated follow-up care, these dedicated professionals are breaking down barriers and redefining what accessible health care looks like. Keep reading to learn more about these health care strides and how…
The power of connection: why access, not awareness, changes outcomes
The sharing of non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should always verify information with the organization offering the program. If you ask most people what Veterans need, you’ll hear the same answers—more resources, more programs, more funding. But after years of working directly…
A century of service: The Pineda family’s multi-generational military legacy
Service is often described as a calling, but for the Pineda family, it’s a foundation. From the front lines of Vietnam to the halls of the White House and the flight lines of the Air Force, the Pineda family legacy represents more than a century of combined dedication to the United States. It’s a story…
Understanding connection: Veteran homelessness and mental health
Why housing stability is essential to mental health treatment and recovery for Veterans experiencing homelessness. Among Veterans receiving VA care, those experiencing homelessness or enrolled in HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing) face significantly higher risks of mental health and substance use challenges—often two to six times higher than Veterans with stable housing. For…
Veteran receives next-generation eye care
Virtual eye care At 56, Air Force Veteran Ben Parks thought he had seen it all when it came to eye care. For 27 years, his community eye care providers had been monitoring a freckle in the back of his eye. He had been seeing his eye care provider regularly for checkups, which involved having…
After 80 years, Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Joseph L. Burke received honorable burial at Saratoga National Cemetery
Thanks to the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Joseph L. Burke finally received the honorable burial he earned. His remains were identified on June 10, 2025, more than 80 years after his death aboard a World War II “hell ship.” Last Thursday, he was interred at Saratoga National…
Stronger together: One day, 250 million acts of kindness
The sharing of non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should always verify information with the organization offering the program. Good Neighbor Day America is a National Day of Service on May 16, 2026, calling on Americans to complete 250 million acts of kindness…
The power of a trusted voice in helping homeless Veterans
Why word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools in ending Veteran homelessness It can be heartbreaking to watch a Veteran you care about struggle with homelessness. You want to help, but you might feel like you don’t have the right expertise or resources to change their situation. Thankfully, the most powerful tool…