Tending Bar - Fighting Veteran Suicides

When Army Ranger Maj. Chris Mercado spoke with his former combat buddy in 2014, he discovered that his friend, a veteran with a distinguished service record, was suffering from the post-service trauma and mental anguish that plagues so many of our nation’s veterans and active-duty military personnel — his friend was contemplating self-harm. A long, caring conversation saved his friend’s life and inspired a project that now has the capacity to save many others.

Together with several friends, Chris and Betsey Mercado have created Objective Zero, a mobile app aimed at preventing military and veteran suicides by making a network of supportive professionals and volunteers available at the touch of a button. Today the network includes trained “ambassadors” in all 50 states and 26 countries, and lives are being saved. Visit www.objectivezero.org to learn more.

Objective Zero has been so innovative, and so effective, that it has been widely praised by the media. The Army Times named Chris “Soldier of the Year” in 2017, and Fast Company tapped him as one of the “Most Creative People in Business” in 2018.

Chris and Betsey reminded us that situations like the COVID-19 pandemic have only heightened the need for services like Objective Zero. While at-risk individuals shelter-in-place, their social interactions are often diminished, and their sense of belonging and connectedness can be undermined. Especially for veterans transitioning out of uniformed service, where they previously took part in something so self-evidently larger than themselves, the isolation and detachment caused by quarantine can be overwhelming. In fact, usage of the Objective Zero app has never been higher, including use by many former military doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who are on the front lines of the pandemic.

To learn more about Objective Zero and Chris’ and Betsey’s mission, visit www.objectivezero.org. You’ll find links to donate and to sign up for training as a suicide prevention “ambassador,” and you’ll find lots of additional media coverage.

Join TendingBar for this sobering, yet encouraging conversation with Chris and Betsey, as they demonstrate what can happen when creativity, vision, teamwork and drive combine to make a positive impact on society.