Military veteran Lauren Grigsby describes the Central Veterans Oregon Ranch in Bend as a place of sanctuary. For nearly a decade, the 19-acre working ranch has opened its gates to veterans searching to talk to someone who understands the feelings of anxiety, isolation and other symptoms of PTSD they carry from tours of duty or other military service. In addition to peer support counseling, the ranch also offers mentorship and vocational training programs in ranching, beekeeping and farming, including a greenhouse where lettuce, basil and other produce and plants are grown. In May, the ranch began participating in “Together with Veterans,” a nationwide suicide prevention program focusing on veterans living in rural communities. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among veterans under the age of 45, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs, which also found a higher rate of suicide among veterans in Oregon in 2020 than the national veteran suicide rate. Joining us to talk about Central Oregon Veterans Ranch and the impact it’s having are Co-executive directors and U.S. Marine Corps veterans Lauren Grigsby and Adrian De La Rosa, who is also a certified peer support specialist.  

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 9-8-8 to reach the national suicide prevention hotline.