September was Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but there’s one group of individuals that society tends to forget needs extra support. A former special operations forces member is using his own military background and testimony to assist veterans who struggle with suicidal thoughts.
Damon Friedman, president and founder of SOF (Shield of Faith) Missions, said his nonprofit provides comprehensive medical care to veterans across the country.
“We do it through a holistic approach, and that’s psychological, physical, cognitive, social and spiritual,” Friedman said.
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The nonprofit also has a human performance division that Friedman said helps veterans become the best versions of themselves through strength and conditioning training and nutrition programs.
Friedman said his organization implemented the Be Resilient Program, which has three facets that include education for health care practitioners, the nonprofit’s medical clinic and a physical two-day retreat targeting chronic pain.
Passion for helping others
His own military background and experience with suicidal thoughts or ideations gave Friedman a passion for helping fellow soldiers.
“I’ve dealt with them — the different tenets of our program — even to the point where I’ve found myself in the emergency room or in some type of intense care three different times,” Friedman said.
He served 20 years in the military — mainly in special operations — including as director of operations, mission commander of Afghanistan and director of future operations for the Middle East in special operations command central.
“I think my personal experience plays a critical role in not only my heart and passion for my military veteran community but also knowing what works and what doesn’t by just going through the process of recovery and healing,” Friedman said. “I’m definitely qualified to help.”
Healthier place
Friedman said God has brought him to a much healthier place and has been instrumental in keeping him alive. More than 20 veterans take their lives every day, he noted. However, Friedman said he chooses to focus on the good plans God promises in Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 19:21.
“Understanding who God is clarifies my purpose,” Friedman said. “I look at the pain in my life, and it propels me to power.”
Friedman said Isaiah 43:1 encourages him because out of 8 billion people on the planet, God knows his name.
“Back in 2010 when I was most serious about committing suicide, God showed up and that’s what God does,” Friedman said. “He knows me by name. He loves me.”
According to Friedman, God plays a critical role in SOF Missions because the nonprofit promotes strong spiritual care for veterans. He said the most important component of these veterans is their souls.
“Communing with God and understanding who He is directs us and empowers us to do what we were called to do,” Friedman said.
As founder of SOF Missions, Friedman said he relates to the men and women his organization strives to help. He said when veterans confide in him, they know he can be trusted to keep shared information private.
“Nobody can tell me I don’t understand,” Friedman said. “Whatever they’re going through, I’ve been there.”
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website, suicide is the 11th-leading cause of death in America. More than 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023 in the United States, and about 1.5 million suicide attempts were made nationally.
Friedman said suicide is a problem for all types of people, which is why he thinks spreading awareness is important. He wants more government support when it comes to helping veterans and spreading national suicide awareness.
“I am absolutely disgusted with how our government takes care of our veterans,” Friedman said.
Filling the gaps
He said nonprofits exist to fill in the gaps that the government doesn’t reach. However, Friedman said he is bothered by how hard it is to work with the government as a nonprofit.
“I’m hoping that we can create awareness of the lack of support, create awareness of the main issue of suicide and maybe a call to action that we all need to work more together,” Friedman said. “We need more faith-based organizations to work together. We need more nonprofits to work together.”
Having different nonprofits pool their resources would help solve other problems that lead to suicide, including homelessness, abuse and drug use, Friedman said.
Friedman urges people to support a veteran monthly.
Operation Red Belt
The SOF Missions Operation Red Belt program encourages people to become monthly sponsors for a veteran and purchase a red belt to symbolize the bloodshed of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country.
According to Friedman, all proceeds from Operation Red Belt go to help veterans with their medical care. He said the belt also has the buckle of truth and the shield of faith on the buckle to remind wearers not only of veterans’ sacrifices but also the Savior’s.
“It also ultimately represents the ultimate sacrifice of the One — Jesus,” Friedman said. “That one drop of blood provided freedom for all humanity.”
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