$750K Federal Grant Brings Veteran Suicide Prevention Initiative to Virgin Islands

The Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands has received a $750,000 federal grant to launch a new suicide prevention and wellness initiative designed specifically around the experiences of veterans and their families in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, will support the Legacy Initiative for Veterans’ Empowerment (LIVE). Developed in partnership with HeirMark and its founder, Virgin Islands veteran and therapist Dr. Muria I. Nisbett, the program is scheduled to operate from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2027. According to DRCVI, publicly available VA award records indicate that it is the first organization in the Virgin Islands to receive funding through the federal grant program.

LIVE is intended to make suicide prevention and wellness services more accessible and relevant to veterans living in the territory. “LIVE is a culturally grounded wellness and suicide prevention program for veterans and their families in the Virgin Islands. It was developed to make support more relevant to the lives of veterans who actually live here, recognizing the role of Caribbean culture, family, community, and shared history,” said Nisbett.

Through peer groups, workshops, and other programming, the initiative will focus on strengthening connections, encouraging veterans to seek support, and reducing some of the barriers that can prevent individuals and families from accessing services.