VA Ann Arbor Employee Selected as Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency 2024 VA Employee of the Year

Mr. Raad is a Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. In the challenging and rewarding area of social work at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS), Raad has turned his lifelong commitment to suicide prevention and crisis intervention into a fulfilling career focused on supporting Veterans.

 "My passion for suicide prevention and crisis intervention stems from a deep belief that we owe our service members and Veterans a lot more as a nation for the sacrifices they’ve made in choosing to put on the uniform," said Raad. "It was easy for me to merge these two philosophies and bring my passion for suicide prevention into the Veteran space."

Raad started his journey at VAAAHS five years ago as a suicide prevention case manager at Battle Creek VA Medical Center. In this clinical role, he provided comprehensive case management, enhanced care, and crisis intervention services to Veterans. His dedication and drive soon led him to a pivotal role as the Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator with VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System's suicide prevention team.

Reflecting on his fulfilling career, he explains, "Working at VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System has been incredibly rewarding. The internal collaboration with staff, from providers to leadership, has been amazing. We are fortunate to have such great people providing care to our Veterans in this community."

Now, as the Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator, his focus has shifted to mobilizing communities to provide upstream approaches to suicide prevention. With approximately 60% of Veterans who die by suicide not connected to VA Ann Arbor healthcare, his work aims to bridge this gap by reaching out to Veterans beyond the VA system.

"The response from our communities has been overwhelmingly positive," he said. "There is a recognition that nobody can do this work alone and that suicide prevention is everyone’s business. We all have a role to play, and that’s an important message for everyone to hear."

In his experience, he has learned that no two Veterans have the exact same story or challenge. One of the most significant hurdles he sees is the transition from military to civilian life, which involves finding employment, securing housing, navigating healthcare, and managing mental and physical health challenges. The loss of camaraderie and community that Veterans experience post-service can also be deeply impactful.

"VA Ann Arbor is truly dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans," said Raad. "From the VA Homeless Programs to Veteran Readiness & Employment services and the Post-9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program, there are many resources aimed at addressing these challenges. Often, conversations in our communities reveal that many people are simply unaware of the vast array of supports available."

Looking ahead, he is excited about the future of his work at VAAAHS. "It’s been an honor to serve Veterans in the communities where they live. There have been so many amazing initiatives that have developed as a result of engaging our communities.” he said. “I’m eager to see where this work goes and how we can build on this foundation to create lasting change toward ending Veteran suicide. There is a lot more work to be done, but I am excited to see what the future holds as more people get involved."

This dedicated social worker’s journey demonstrates how passion, commitment, and collaboration guide VA staff in serving those who have given so much to their country.

If you or someone you know is a veteran struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 offering confidential support.

Veterans Crisis Line:
📞 Dial 988 and Press 1
📱 Text 838255
💻 Chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat