VA Partners with Televeda to Expand Suicide Prevention Solution for Indigenous Veterans

Televeda, a community engagement platform dedicated to reducing social isolation and loneliness, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pilot and expand its Hero’s Story Project (HSP), a culturally tailored suicide prevention program designed specifically for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) veterans.

The Hero’s Story Project is a comprehensive initiative that integrates elements of traditional healing practices such as Talking Circles and storytelling, with evidence-based peer support frameworks. By combining cultural knowledge with innovative delivery models such as virtual, in-person, and hybrid sessions, the Hero’s Story Project fosters peer collaboration, strengthens trust, and improves social connectedness for at-risk veteran populations.

Under this initiative, Televeda will pilot and scale its services across Arizona and New Mexico, focusing on American Indian and Alaska Native veterans in rural frontier communities. Special attention will be given to creating safe peer circles for women veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma (MST), ensuring their participation is supported with sensitivity and care to foster trust and healing. The project will include formalizing partnerships with additional tribal governments and veteran service organizations (VSOs), and expanding program evaluation to enhance delivery, effectiveness, and impact.

“We are deeply grateful to the VA, our tribal and community partners, and the veterans who have helped shape this important work,” said Mayank Mishra, Co-Founder of Televeda. “We look forward to working side by side with these collaborators to strengthen existing efforts, expand culturally responsive resources, and ensure no veteran is left without access to the VA, which is a vital protective factor in suicide prevention.”

About Hero’s Story Project

Launched through the VA’s Mission Daybreak initiative, the Hero’s Story Project is a novel reimagining of peer support services for minority veteran subpopulations. By designing “resource journeys” that connect veterans to culturally aligned support systems, the project addresses upstream factors contributing to suicide, such as social isolation, historical mistrust, and lack of access points that are responsive to the cultural and community needs of minority veterans such as AIAN veterans. The Hero’s Story Project aims to increase engagement, reduce risk factors, and promote resilience and healing by equipping veterans with culturally responsible tools to strengthen family, tribal, and community ties while connecting them with essential resources.

About Televeda

Founded in 2018, Televeda is a digital health platform focused on reducing social isolation and increasing digital inclusion for veterans, seniors, and underserved communities across the United States.

For more information or partnership opportunities, visit: televeda.com/heros-story-project

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