GRUNT STYLE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NATIONAL "WAR CRY FOR CHANGE" SUMMIT IN D.C. TO COMBAT VETERAN OVERPRESCRIBING CRISIS
Two-day event will advocate for veteran suicide prevention with members of Congress
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Grunt Style Foundation will host the "War Cry For Change" - Veteran Harm Reduction Summit, June 4-5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This two-day event aims to address the role of medication overprescribing in the veteran suicide epidemic and welcome veterans, medical experts, surviving families, and supporting members of congress including U.S. Representative Jack Bergman.
The event is FREE and open to the public. To learn more and register www.gruntstylefoundation.org
68% of veterans under the care of the Veterans Health Administration are prescribed psychiatric medications to treat mental health conditions such as PTSD but are too commonly not provided informed consent on the side effects of these drugs, which among others include "Black Box Warnings" for suicidal thoughts and behaviors by the Food and Drug Administration. The "War Cry for Change" summit will advocate the urgent need for systemic change.
"WAR CRY FOR CHANGE" SUMMIT SCHEDULE
DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
6:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. EST - "MEDICATING NORMAL" FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION
LOCATION: KELLOGG CONFERENCE AUDITORIUM AT GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY
ADDRESS: 800 FLORIDA AVE NE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002-3695
The "War Cry for Change" summit will kick-off with a special screening of "Medicating Normal," a documentary examining the widespread use of psychiatric medications and their unintended consequences. The screening will be followed by an expert panel discussion featuring Dr. Peter Gøtzsche, founder of co-founder of Cochrane Collaboration; Robert Whitaker, journalist, Mad In America; Lynn Cunningham, filmmaker; Angie Peacock, MSW, combat veteran, subject of the film.
DAY 2 - THURSDAY, JUNE 5
7:45 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. - IRREVERENT WARRIORS "HIKE TO HEAL"
STARTING LOCATION: VFW HEADQUARTERS
ADDRESS: 200 MARYLAND AVE NE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002
The Irreverent Warriors (Washington D.C. Chapter) will lead a hike from VFW HQ, stopping at Capitol Hill and ending at the National Mall, for the unveiling of a powerful public art installation symbolizing the lives lost and silence endured by the veteran community. Veterans and families are invited to toss empty prescription bottles into a skull as a symbol of solidarity against medication overprescribing.
8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M. - OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE: SPONSORED BY CONGRESSMAN JACK BERGMAN
LOCATION: HOUSE TRIANGLE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL
12:00 P.M. - ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
LOCATION: U.S. CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER (SVC 212-10)
ADDRESS: FIRST STREET NE, WASHINGTON D.C.
The summit will conclude with a collaborative roundtable discussion with members of Congress, Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), leading medical experts, and surviving families who will offer testimony of their experiences. The roundtable will present concrete solutions to address veteran overprescribing including the implementation of informed consent protocols, development of safe deprescribing practices, alternative healing modalities, and comprehensive medical reform within the VA system.
"We're not just highlighting problems - we're bringing real, actionable solutions to Capitol Hill," said William Wisner, Executive Director at Grunt Style Foundation. "Every veteran deserves access to healing that honors their service and addresses their unique needs without creating additional harm."
ABOUT THE GRUNT STYLE FOUNDATION
Established in 2021, the Grunt Style Foundation is a 501(c)3 national nonprofit organization committed to providing life-changing resources and experiences in which Veterans, Service Members and their families thrive. The Grunt Style Foundation is the nonprofit arm of Grunt Style, a patriotic and veteran-operated apparel brand, to further Grunt Style's commitment to recognize and celebrate those who bravely served our country. The Grunt Style Foundation focuses on mental health and wellness, military transition and sustainment, while alleviating food insecurities, and ending homelessness for military and veteran communities. To learn more about the Grunt Style Foundation, please visit www.gruntstylefoundation.org
CONTACT: Clarissa Castaneda, clarissa.castaneda@noisytrumpet.com
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