One of our very favorite events each year is our Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon. Generally held late in October, hosting this annual lunch affords us the great privilege of being in the company of true American heroes—our veterans. Their presence reminds us of the profound patriotism, sacrifice and courage that have kept our nation safe and free.

This year we were truly honored to have two special guest speakers, retired Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Joshua Datka and Amy Denman Hoover. Each of these wonderful individuals served in their own way, Josh with his active military service over two decades and Amy as a service spouse, speaking to us in honor of her late husband, Spencer.

Both of these speakers focused their remarks on an issue all too often kept in secret—the mental health challenges faced by our service members and their families. The military environment, with its rigorous training, long deployments and potential exposure to combat and life-threatening situations, creates an inherently high-stress environment. It is perhaps not surprising then that veterans in our nation can face significant mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and substance use disorders, with the prevalence of these being higher among veterans than the general population.

For veterans deployed to combat zones, for example, PTSD can affect up to 29 percent of those who served over the course of their lifetime. And veterans are 1.5 more likely to die by suicide than civilians. I was surprised to learn that Florida has the third-highest concentration of veterans in the country, with almost 1.4 million service members calling our state home. And while strides have been made in overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health, much still needs to be done, and that’s where local resources can make a profound difference.

Through our annual luncheon, we have been fortunate to work with some of the outstanding individuals devoted to our local veteran community. Santa Fe College Veterans and Military Success Services provides academic services, tutor resources, career-seeking services, out-of -state tuition and fee waivers, disability resources (both service and non-service connected), VA healthcare and mental health and counseling services. The professionals at Santa Fe College have a thorough understanding of the benefits our veterans have earned and how they can best employ those.

VyStar Credit Union has long been a sponsor of our annual luncheon and has proved time and again their commitment to our service members. And of course, we are home to the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, one of the largest and busiest VA medical centers in the country.

Of all the special moments at our Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon, one we are very proud of is the check we give to The Fisher House, housed at the VA Medical Center, which offers shelter and support during a medical crisis. The Fisher House offers a comforting “home away from home” while a loved is receiving care in an unfamiliar environment. Our support for this special non-profit is just a small token of our deep gratitude to all who serve our nation.

Our honored speakers this year educated us and inspired us. Resources they shared are: The Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarrior.org and Stop Soldier Suicide, www.stopsoldiersuicide.org.

Eric Godet is president/CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber