Forgotten Not Gone is a North Las Vegas, NV based 501(c)(3) for purpose Veteran Founded and led organization dedicated to “Stomping Out Veteran Suicide!”
Permanent Disabilities incurred during Military service, Chronic Pain, Depression,isolation, lack of healthcare options and abandonment causes too many Veterans to take their own lives daily in the United States. FNG is active in Suicide Prevention, utilizing emotional, physical and spiritual healing within a Veteran Peer Support Outdoor Recreation environment.
Weekly physical group activities such as E-Recumbent trikes, Velomobiles and Street Strider bikes, help Forgotten Not Gone connect with veterans, inspiring them to #GetOutTheDamnHouse. This allows our Veterans to escape the isolation that physical and mental pain may cause us to find comfort in, while also educating about alternative healing, Solutions Over Suicide #SOS.
FNG aims to free veterans of the stigma that holds them back from accessing the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare, so they can have quality lives, healthy, happy and most of all, #StigmaFree!
Our Origins
Where and How Forgotten Not Gone Started
Physical disability, Chronic pain and emotional struggles left Peter Guidry at a crossroads after his discharge from the Air Force after years of service. He, like many other veterans, needed help starting a positive, healthy life while readapting to civilian life.
For that, he realized he needed more than just pain medication and psychotropics ― he needed Veteran Peer support, connection and Outdoor recreation that would address his physical limitations.
Together with his wife Kelley, a fellow Air Force veteran, who also had to overcome physical pain and mental struggles, he created Forgotten Not Gone in 2013 to fill in the gaps of Service at the V.A and provide Veterans alternative forms of Healing as adults.
The Veteran Mental Health Crisis
Veterans are 50％ more likely to commit suicide than those without military service
Despite comparatively lower rates, the largest number of deaths by suicide is among middle-age and older adult Veterans. Approximately 65 percent of all Veterans who died by suicide were age 50 or older.
More than 15 veterans commit suicide daily in our country.
These shocking figures are just the tip of the iceberg of the veteran mental health crisis.
Many Veterans come face to face with a series of traumatizing events in their military lives. As a result, many Vets find it difficult to re-adjust to everyday life when they return home. Many of our former service members have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD, use of opioids and other substance abuse, all of which veterans can develop due to military service, are associated with higher suicide rates in veterans. In fact, 8% of male and 3% of female veterans have dealt with substance abuse, which more than doubles risk of suicide.
Recent veterans from post 9/11 wars are more likely to die from suicide than in combat.
Currently, only 30% of veterans use VA healthcare, according to the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide.
Suicide rate among active duty service member increased by 41% between 2015 and 2020
The VA, who embraces working with outside organizations such as Forgotten Not Gone, found that the following can help prevent suicide among veterans:
- Positive coping skills- A place to heal with Peers
- Having reasons for living or a sense of purpose in life
- Feeling connected to other people and community
Forgotten Not Gone provides all three of these via Veteran Peer Support Outdoor Recreation. Located in Nevada, a state with a higher suicide rate than the national average, Forgotten Not Gone is a unique and critical resource for at-risk veterans and military members.
Forgotten Not Gone Leadership
Peter Guidry, Co-Founder
We need a compassionate place to heal.
Kelley Guidry, Co-Founder
Be honest and courageous enough to become a better person.
Learn more about Peter and Kelley’s story at:
Veteran Trike Brigade
Starting with 2 Recumbent Trikes, to now reaching Over 50 Trikes and climbing. Our fleet of Velomobile recumbent trikes helps veterans get their minds off self-destructive thoughts, and the activity creates healthy endorphins. Our veterans use exercise not only to keep their weight in check, but also to allow their biological systems to work properly – including brain function. Bodies and minds are connected, and in constant communication. Physical activity has an overwhelmingly positive effect on our veterans.
Highlighted Coverage
V.A Make The Connection, Better Together
Nevada Dept Of Veteran Services #FNG on the cover
Nevada Dept of Veteran Service Veteran Supporter of the Month #FNG
Las Vegas nonprofit helps veterans heal in an active way
KNPR Nevada Public Radio: Reducing Nevada Veterans Suicides A Focus Of National, Local Efforts
Las Vegas Review-Journal : Love Conquers All
SALUTE OUR TROOPS: Air Force veteran starts nonprofit to help vets with PTSD
