Who We Are
Our mission is to provide suicide prevention and reduction for veterans and first responders by healing invisible wounds through holistic modalities and providing year-round Warriors for Life Online Peer Support.
Why Victory For Veterans. Why Now?
In 2020, there were 6,146 Veteran suicides. This was on average 16.8 per day. (National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, Sept. 2022). It is estimated that Veteran suicides represent approximately 22 percent of all suicide deaths in the U.S.. Factors that directly contribute to suicide among Veterans include physical trauma such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and mental health factors such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Public safety personnel are 5 times more likely to suffer symptoms of PTSD and depression than their civilian counterparts, leading to higher rates of suicide. Additionally, more first responders die of suicide than in the line of duty each year. (Ruderman Family Foundation, May 2022).
About Victory for Veterans, Inc.
Victory for Veterans was launched in 2016 to reduce Veteran and First Responder suicide and mental health challenges following a diagnosis PTDS, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), depression and substance use. The Veteran-led nonprofit organization serves their target population through Warriors for Life peer-to-peer support group and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). The cost-free Warriors for Life support group was developed by Col. (Ret.) Mikel Burroughs who launched the structured outreach to honor his late father-in-law who died by suicide in 2015, following his service as a Marine Sniper in the Vietnam War. The support group provides participants with a daily, safe outlet to receive and express big and small challenges among other like-minded leaders who can support and encourage peers.
in 2020, Victory for Veterans committed to the implementation of their first Life Readiness Center (LRC) where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Chambers would be used to promote healing among Veterans and First Responders who suffer from PTSD, TBI, MST, and other Invisible Wounds. Following the pandemic, the organization received funding to purchase and install two HBOT Chambers in their first RLC in Huntsville, TX. With certifications in place, the LRC began treating Veterans in Jan. 2023 with 70 participants benefiting in the first 4 months of operations. The cost-free HBOT sessions are proven to positively impact participants cognitively and symptomatically, and their depression and anxiety were reduced.
Our Vision
Where Hope, Support, and Healing come together
Our Mission
To provide suicide prevention and reduction for veterans and first responders by healing invisible wounds through holistic modalities and providing year-round Warriors for Life Online Peer Support.
“To meet up with like-minded people; to have someone that you can confide in if you don’t want to talk to a professional, just for familiarity’s sake, who knows what you’re going through, has been very beneficial in my recovery”
Veteran Rochelle Cooper
Victory for Veterans Support Programs
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Healing cannot take place without appropriate oxygen levels in the tissue and cells. VFV HBOT treatment helps support veterans healing process
HBOT provides this extra oxygen to tissue and cells with minimal side effects.
About Our Leadership
Victory for Veterans is led by two dedicated Veterans who served on the front lines in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and a third leader who grew up as an Air Force son. COL (Ret.) Mikel Burroughs received the Legion of Merit medal for his exemplary service and outstanding performance of duty in key leadership positions during peacetime and the Bronze Star medal during wartime, during his 37 years of continuous service in the United States Army and United States Army Reserves. LTC (Ret.) Stephan Porter served over 32 years in the military and suffered disabling injuries from that service. Because of these lived experiences, they are informed, compassionate leaders who can successfully support a national population of Veterans, First Responders and Caregivers through their signature programs, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and Warriors for Life (WFL).
Our Financial Stewardship
At Victory for Veterans, we serve our community with honor just like how we served our country. We have a proven track record of using donations efficiently and effectively. We work to maximize the value of every dollar we receive so that less than 10% of every dollar spent goes to administrative costs.