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Local nonprofit Reps for Vets outlines peer‑led suicide‑prevention exercise program, cites 178 graduates and 28 lives saved
Summary
Reps for Vets, a combat‑veteran‑run nonprofit, described a 12‑week exercise and peer‑support program that the presenters said has graduated 178 participants and contributed to preventing 28 suicides. Council and staff discussed referral pathways and outreach.
Reps for Vets, a combat‑veteran nonprofit in Imperial Valley, presented its peer‑led exercise and outreach program to the City Council during public comment, describing a 12‑week program that pairs supervised exercise with peer support and behavioral‑health referrals.
Founder Brandon (Bridal) Brown and outreach director Joshua Hawk said the program provides 36 free personal training sessions at 413 Fitness for each graduate and that the nonprofit has had 178 graduates since its 2020 founding. Brown said the organization has directly intervened in crisis situations and estimates it has helped prevent 28 suicides, including intervention when callers were in active crisis.
Hawk reviewed warning signs, risk factors and protective factors for suicide, and he encouraged use of the national 988 crisis hotline for immediate assistance. He told the council that stigma and concerns about confidentiality deter some veterans and first responders from seeking traditional services, and he said Reps for Vets aims to provide a discreet, peer‑based entry point that can link participants to behavioral health services.
Councilmembers asked about how residents contact the program; speakers said Reps for Vets maintains social‑media pages, a website and outreach at 413 Fitness and that they are working to expand referrals and community awareness. Speakers emphasized the program is both secular and faith‑friendly and that they provide supports for veterans’ families as well as service members.
