Volunteers of America Michigan Launches Groundbreaking Mental Health and Substance Use Pilot Program for Veterans to Break Stigma Associated with Treatment!
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (May 27, 2025)— Volunteers of America Michigan (VOAMI), a metro Detroit nonprofit agency specializing in providing critical services, shelter and food for veterans, affordable housing for aging seniors, and supportive services for struggling families, announced today the launch of its transformative new initiative, Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health and Substance Use Pilot Program, at its Detroit Veterans Housing Program (DVHP) location. This groundbreaking program aims to tackle one of the most persistent barriers veterans face in seeking care: the stigma associated with mental health and substance use treatment. The new effort is a trauma-informed and veteran-centric program to reduce stigma and create a direct pathway to lasting health and housing security. VOAMI has long served as a trusted partner to Michigan’s veteran community, supporting those who have lost housing, jobs, families, and hope—many while battling untreated trauma, mental health disorders, and substance use challenges.
Key Features of the Breaking the Stigma Pilot Program:
- Integrated Support On-Site: For the first time, a VOAMI therapist and case manager will be embedded directly within DVHP to help veterans overcome long-standing barriers like fear, shame, and past negative experiences with outside care systems.
- Comprehensive Treatment Offerings: Veterans will receive access to group and individual therapy, case management, 12-step meetings Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous; and access to evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Treatment, Relapse Prevention, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
- Health Care Navigation: Veterans will receive direct health care navigation support to ensure veterans eligible for substance abuse and mental health services though the VA, Medicaid or Medicare have access to them.
- Stigma-Focused Strategy: The program is designed to challenge common stigma narratives—such as viewing help-seeking as weakness—and works to rebuild the veterans trust in health systems.
“Veterans often come to us at their lowest point, and what they need most is someone who will meet them with compassion and real solutions,” said Aubrey Macfarlane, president and CEO of VOAMI. “This program is designed to provide a safe space where healing can begin without judgment.” VOAMI is a natural safety net that works to support veterans in accessing treatment before they reach the point of needing hospitalization and is now poised to fill this gap in the service continuum, reduce the stigma associated with substance abuse and mental health services, and successfully transition these veterans to funded service providers in this area.
Backed by a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and a year of in-depth strategic planning with VOAMI stakeholders, this pilot program is a support system to try to move veterans into treatment before crisis escalation, hospitalization, or long-term decline.
Why It Matters:
VOAMI data shows:
- 70% of veterans in VOAMI’s residential transitional housing program have substance use challenges impacting their lives and daily goals.
- Roughly 40% of veterans served in VOAMI’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) have substance-use challenges.
- A majority of veterans entering VOAMI’s programs exhibit signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and have histories of trauma, loss and/or adverse childhood experiences, and struggle with an array of mental health diagnoses including mood, anxiety, personality and/or adjustment disorders.
- Approximately 33% of the population served by VOAMI Social Services have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. As with substance use, however, they project that 70% of those not diagnosed with a mental health disorder are dealing with undiagnosed challenges.
National statistics echo this urgency:
- Approximately 50% of homeless veterans are dealing with substance abuse challenges. www.nvhs.org/understanding-substance-abuse-among-veterans/
- More than 1 in 10 Veterans suffer from Substance Use Disorder. www.nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-use-military-life
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that 65% of Veterans who enter treatment programs report that alcohol is the substance they use most, which is almost double the rate found in the general population. www.nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-use-military-life
- 43% of veterans in a large national study experienced mental health issues including PTSD, depression, or substance abuse. www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10378995/
- Veteran suicide is the second leading cause of death among veterans under 45. www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2024/2024-Annual-Report-Part-2-of-2_508.pdf
“Too many of our nation’s heroes are suffering in silence,” said Macfarlane. “This program creates a bridge from stigma and isolation to support, treatment, and lasting recovery.”
VOAMI remains committed to innovating and expanding its services to meet the urgent and evolving needs of veterans across the State of Michigan.
About Volunteers of America Michigan
Volunteers of America Michigan, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency, specializes in providing critical services, shelter and food for veterans, affordable housing for aging seniors, and supportive services for struggling families, and operates six Thrift Stores in Michigan. For over 125 years, they have been empowering veterans, seniors, and families across the state of Michigan. Their work touches the mind, body, heart – and ultimately the spirit – of those they serve, integrating their deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. To learn more, visit www.voami.org.