Buddy Checks Save Lives: Why Checking In Matters in the Military Community

Military Veteran Project Joins National “Buddy Check 22” Effort to Encourage Connection and Community Support
Kansas — The Military Veteran Project (MVP) is proud to join and help amplify the growing “Buddy Check 22” movement — an ongoing grassroots effort embraced by veterans, service members, and communities across the country to encourage people to check in on one another.
Observed on the 22nd of each month, Buddy Check 22 serves as a reminder to reach out to a friend, battle buddy, family member, coworker, or neighbor with a simple message, phone call, visit, or conversation.
The movement centers around one powerful idea: connection matters.
Military Veteran Project is encouraging Kansas communities, veteran organizations, businesses, schools, churches, and families to participate by making intentional outreach part of their monthly routine.
“Sometimes people do not need solutions right away — they just need to know someone cares enough to reach out,” said Melissa Jarboe, Founder of Military Veteran Project. “This movement is a powerful reminder that small acts of connection can make a meaningful difference.”
Buddy Check 22 has become a widely recognized effort throughout the military and veteran community, encouraging peer support, accountability, and consistent human connection long before someone may reach a point of crisis.
As part of MVP’s mission focused on education, awareness, reintegration, and community-based prevention efforts, the organization hopes to help strengthen participation and awareness surrounding the initiative throughout Kansas and beyond.
Community members are encouraged to participate monthly and share messages of encouragement online using hashtags such as:
#BuddyCheck22
#BuddyCheck
#CheckOnYourPeople
#YouAreNotAlone
#MilitaryVeteranProject
#BehindEveryNumberIsAName
“You do not have to be a veteran to be part of this movement,” Jarboe added. “Checking in on people should become part of our culture as communities, workplaces, families, and friends.”
Military Veteran Project is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization focused on strengthening suicide prevention awareness, military reintegration, education, and community support initiatives for veterans, service members, and their families.
In the military, nobody succeeds alone.

That mindset should not end after deployment or transition home.

A “buddy check” is reaching out to another veteran, service member, or military family member just to ask:

“How are you really doing?”
​"What's new with you?"
"Anything going on?"

Sometimes it’s a text.
Sometimes it’s a phone call.
Sometimes it’s sitting in silence beside someone who is struggling.

At Military Veteran Project, we believe buddy checks are one of the most powerful forms of prevention because connection reduces isolation.

Many veterans silently struggle with:

• stress,

• trauma,

• depression,

• transition challenges,

• loneliness,

• and feeling disconnected from civilian life.

One conversation can make a difference.

What Makes a Good Buddy Check?

• Reach out consistently

• Listen without judgment

• Notice behavior changes

• Encourage connection

• Help them find resources if needed

• Remind them they are not alone

Sometimes showing up matters most.

​#MVPBuddyChecks #BuddyChecks22 #MVPBUDDYCHECK22 #22OnThe22nd #ReachOut #CheckIn #ConnectionSavesLives #VeteransSupportingVeterans #MilitaryCommunity #YouAreNotAlone #VeteranSupport #CommunityConnection #TogetherWeCan #BehindEveryNumberIsAName #MilitaryVeteranProject #BeTheOne #GotYourSix #EndTheSilence #StrongerTogether #VeteranWellness #SupportOurTroops #Howareyou #Tellmesomethinggood 

Keywords targeted:
Buddy checks | Veteran suicide prevention | Veteran support | Military mental health | Military community | Kansas veterans