How Stack Up is still saving lives of veterans through gaming after a decade
1 min read
Summary
Veteran support charity Stack Up has pivoted its focus in recent years from providing games to military personnel deployed overseas to those struggling with mental health issues upon their return home.
Military mental health services and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have come under scrutiny in recent months after thousands of support staff were sacked, including workers at the VA’s national suicide prevention line.
CEO Stephen Machuga expressed concern that veteran charities are not a priority for potential donors, but said the group is taking steps to ensure it can support as many veterans as possible during its 10th anniversary year.
Stack Up offers a range of services, from sending disabled veterans to gaming and ‘geek culture’ events to hosting mental health forums through its Overwatch programme.
The group saw donations drop 20% year-on-year in 2024, despite supporting more than 60,000 veterans over its 10-year history.