How Stack Up is still saving lives of veterans through gaming after a decade

Veterans have had help from the Department of Veterans Affairs adjusting to work-life challenges for years. But employees at the department’s suicide crisis line and other workers who manned the phones were among those recently laid off in a purge of the federal government workforce. More than 2% of the VA’s probationary workforce was dismissed in recent weeks. Stephen Machuga, founder and CEO of Stack Up, the military-focused charity centered around a shared love of video games, isn’t sure how that’s going to shake out. But Machuga hopes that society won’t forget about the contributions of veterans to the country and the toll of their sacrifices over the years. Stack Up helps service members fight the effects of combat injuries, depressions, and post-traumatic stress through the benefits of gaming. The charity’s efforts include the Stack Up Overwatch Program, provides vital round-the-clock mental health counseling and support to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and civilia ... Read full article.