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Companion Toolkit

Still Standing

A Veteran Mental Health and Crisis Survival Guide

Your Toolkit Includes

Editable guides, templates, trackers, and calculators designed to be used alongside the book. Each file mirrors a concept or chapter from the guide -- download what you need, fill it in, and turn what you have been through into what comes next.

Still Standing

FWD Assist Publishing

Built by Joshua Christopherson. VA disability claims educator. Air Force and Air National Guard disabled veteran with hands-on VSO experience.

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About This Topic

A direct, practical guide to veteran mental health and crisis survival written for veterans who are struggling and for those who want to help them. Covers the warning signs of crisis, how to access VA mental health services, what the Veterans Crisis Line offers, how to talk to someone you're worried about, and how to build resilience after trauma.

What the Book Covers

Key topics and takeaways from Still Standing:

How to recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis
How to access VA mental health services
What the Veterans Crisis Line offers and how to use it
How to build resilience and rebuild after trauma

Who This Is For

  • Veterans struggling with mental health or in crisis
  • Family members and friends worried about a veteran
  • Veterans who want to access VA mental health services
  • Anyone who wants to build resilience after military-related trauma

Veterans Crisis Line

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 then press 1, or text 838255. Support is available 24/7.

Download the Entire Toolkit

All 14 files in one zip · 4.1 MB

Download All (.zip)

Companion Toolkit

14 files for Still Standing -- Organized by where you are in the journey.

Ch 1: What Nobody Tells You About Coming Home

1 file

Identity Inventory Worksheet

Assess where your identity stands across key post-service dimensions

6 KB

Ch 2: The Thing About Rock Bottom

2 files

Trigger Mapping Worksheet

Map triggers with context so you can see them coming and manage them

6 KB

Rock Bottom Action Kit

What to do when you hit rock bottom — immediate steps and resources

12 KB

Ch 3: Staying Here: Getting Through the Night

2 files

2AM Survival Kit

What to reach for at 2 AM when the walls close in — contacts, grounding steps, next-day plan

815 KB

Crisis Communication Card

Wallet-sized crisis contacts and steps to share with someone you trust

5 KB

Ch 4: The VA Mental Health System

2 files

VA Mental Health Action Plan

Build a personal mental health action plan with VA and civilian resources

11 KB

VA Mental Health Guide

Navigate VA mental health services and build a treatment plan

6 KB

Ch 5: Why You Won't Ask for Help

1 file

Asking For Help Kit

Scripts and steps for asking for help when you need it — no shame, just action

38 KB

Ch 6: For the People Who Love Them

1 file

Family Support Kit

Tools for families supporting a veteran through mental health recovery

817 KB

Ch 7: Purpose After the Uniform

2 files

Mission Void Assessment

Assess the mission void left by military service and identify civilian replacements

7 KB

Purpose After Uniform Kit

Find purpose and meaning after the uniform comes off

816 KB

Ch 8: The Long Game: Recovery Isn't a Destination

2 files

Recovery Practice Tracker

Track daily recovery practices and their impact on symptoms

6 KB

Getting Back Up Protocol

Protocol for getting back on your feet after a setback or crisis

814 KB

Ch 9: What You Carry and What You Pass On

1 file

Family Legacy Kit

Build a family legacy plan that carries meaning beyond military service

819 KB

How to Use This Toolkit

Every file is yours to keep. The Word documents (.docx) are your guides, journals, and planning tools. Open them and make them your own. The spreadsheets (.xlsx) are your journals, reflection tools, and planners. They include guided prompts and structured layouts to help you stay on track. Save them to your computer and update them as your situation changes.

Disclaimer: FWD Assist HQ and FWD Assist Publishing provide educational resources only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, medical advice, or accredited representation. Always consult with an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer for personalized guidance.