The Georgia Veterans Service Foundation (GVSF) recently received a donation of 60 tablets from GreenVeterans.com and Samsung to support suicide prevention programs for veterans, military service members, and their families.

Shawn Hanley, CEO of GreenVeterans.com and Chairman of Georgia’s Veterans Service Board, and Samsung presented the gift to the GVSF on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Mr. Hanley met with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Benita Miller, Deputy Network Director of the U.S. Department Veterans Affairs Southeast Network (VISN 7), and Patricia Ross, the Commissioner of Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) to commemorate the donation.

“Georgia is committed to doing our part to support the brave men and women whose service safeguards the freedoms we hold dear,” said Governor Brian Kemp.  “This means providing our veterans facing mental health challenges the resources they need to recover and thrive. I want to thank Samsung and GreenVeterans for their support of this cause, and I look forward to the impact this initiative will have on our veterans.”

The devices will provide access to a suicide prevention screening assessment for veterans visiting Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) offices. The assessment is currently available through a scannable QR code but was difficult to access for those without mobile devices or who need help navigating the web-based form.

“Building and uplifting communities across the U.S. is a core part of Samsung’s work in America. Our outreach to veteran groups is one with a rich history and one that we are proud to support and celebrate,” said Mark Lippert, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs – Samsung Electronics America. “It is an honor for Samsung to assist the Georgia Department of Veteran Services in its outreach to veterans who are at risk of suicide. We thank Governor Kemp, CEO Shawn Hanley of Green Veterans, Commissioner Patricia Ross, and the Georgia Department of Veterans Service for the opportunity to play a role in this important suicide prevention program.”

The GDVS launched the suicide prevention screening tool as part of a program to identify emerging trends of suicidality in veterans in Georgia. The program operates through a grant received through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention program. The GDVS is working with partners at the Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research at Kennesaw State University to develop predictive models of areas of concern, develop suicide prevention programs, and improve equity and access to mental healthcare services for veterans, service members, and their families.

“Losing even one veteran to suicide is too many. Having a strong network of caring partners working together to provide the support our veterans need is critical,” said GDVS Commissioner Patricia Ross. “We look forward to continuing to make a difference for Georgia’s veterans and reducing veteran suicides across the state with our partners’ help.”

The donation from Samsung and GreenVeterans.com to the GVSF’s suicide prevention programs strongly supports Governor Kemp’s initiative to utilize public-private partnerships and technology to improve Georgian’s lives. Through similar partnerships, the GVSF aims to meet the needs of Georgia’s veterans, families, caregivers, and their survivors.

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About GDVS:

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but is an agency of Georgia’s state government created for the purpose of advising, counseling, and assisting Georgia’s veterans and their families in receiving their rightful benefits under the vast and complex framework of veterans’ laws. The GDVS mission, to serve Georgia's veterans and their families in all matters pertaining to veterans benefits, falls into two basic tasks: informing veterans and their families about veterans’ benefits, and directly assisting and advising veterans and their families in securing the federal and state benefits to which they are entitled.

Veterans or their family members should contact their local field office to schedule an appointment. Locate a veteran service office near you at:  https://veterans.georgia.gov/field-offices.

Related Files

  • GVSF - GreenVeterans and Samsung Donation (IMG, 1.26 MB)
    Officials from GreenVeterans, Samsung, and the GDVS meet with Governor Kemp and Georgia's state legislators.
  • GVSF - GreenVeterans and Samsung Senate (IMG, 235.64 KB)
    Shawn Hanley, CEO of GreenVeterans, Mark Lippert, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs – Samsung Electronics America, and state Senator Mike Dugan are honored on the Georgia Senate floor with Lt. Governor Burt Jones.