“Have Her Six”: A Lifeline for Women Veterans

Source: News Tribune – “Cohen Clinic Launches ‘Have Her Six’ Campaign to Raise Awareness of Suicide Among Women Veterans,” September 2025

This September, the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at The Up Center in Virginia Beach launched something that carries deep meaning for so many of us who’ve served — a campaign called “Have Her Six.”

The phrase comes from the military term “got your six,” which means “I’ve got your back.”

And that’s exactly what this initiative is about — having the backs of women veterans who are silently fighting battles we often don’t see.

A Crisis Too Often Overlooked

According to the News Tribune, the “Have Her Six” campaign was launched to raise awareness of a devastating and under-recognized crisis: the high rate of suicide among women veterans.

Women who have served are dying by suicide at nearly twice the rate of their civilian peers — a number that has continued to climb since the post-9/11 era.

The campaign, created by the Cohen Clinic, shines a light on this growing concern and shares prevention strategies tailored to women veterans and service members. It’s not just about statistics — it’s about reaching those who might be struggling in silence and reminding them that help is available, and that their service, stories, and survival matter.

What “Have Her Six” Stands For

The heart of this campaign is connection and care.

As the clinic’s director, Tanetta Hassell, explained, the team wanted to create a movement that not only acknowledges the unique challenges women veterans face, but also meets them where they are.

Many women who served in uniform return home to systemic gaps in care, or to providers who don’t fully understand their experiences. “Have Her Six” was designed to close those gaps by:

• Raising awareness about suicide among women veterans.

• Sharing prevention resources tailored specifically to their needs.

• Encouraging support networks to show up for the women who have served our nation.

Hassell made it clear that their message is simple: You are not alone. We’ve got your six.

Why This Matters

Programs like “Have Her Six” matter because they start conversations that save lives.

For too long, women veterans have felt invisible in the broader dialogue about veteran suicide. This campaign reminds us that awareness is not enough — action and compassion are what make the difference.

As the fastest-growing group within the veteran population, women deserve to see themselves reflected in prevention efforts, outreach materials, and the mental health system itself.

This campaign is a call to all of us — veterans, advocates, and allies — to stand guard for those who’ve stood guard for us.

The Cohen Clinic’s “Have Her Six” campaign embodies what it truly means to look out for one another.

It’s not just about raising awareness — it’s about changing the culture around how we view women veterans’ mental health.

So if you know a woman veteran who’s struggling, reach out. Listen. Remind her that help exists, that her story matters, and that someone — somewhere — has her six.

Source:

News Tribune, “Cohen Clinic Launches ‘Have Her Six’ Campaign to Raise Awareness of Suicide Among Women Veterans,” September 2025. Copyright © 2025, News Tribune Publishing.