To reach younger vets, Denton’s VFW post is adding a video gaming center

Timothy Qualls, Post 2205’s commander-elect, said a U.S. Department of Defense study found that playing video games is one of the top three ways to prevent veteran suicide.

The post’s main goal for the gaming room is to reach out to young veterans by helping them with their health and wellness, Qualls said.

A 2019 Department of Veterans Affairs study found that video games can help veterans recover from mental health challenges.

A 2020 VA study showed that veterans ages 18-34 had a suicide rate of 46.1 per 100,000, and for those ages 35-54, the rate is 31.8 per 100,000. Veterans ages 55-74 had a suicide rate of 27.4 per 100,000, and those 75 and older had a rate of 32 per 100,000.

Qualls wants to take the opportunity to make sure young and old veterans know there are resources available for their health and to support their families, who may need help as well.

“We have resources — these young folks had no clue,” Qualls said. He said the post can help them file claims through the VA and understand their claims.

“We have resources for PTSD, for anything,” he said.

He has reached out to the UNT Student Veterans Association, which has started hosting its weekly Wednesday meetings at the VFW post. He said the first meeting brought in about 40 people.

While the future gaming center is aimed at young veterans, Qualls said it will be open to all veterans in the Denton area, regardless of whether they are members of VFW Post 2205.

Construction is set to begin this month and will be completed in late summer. The gaming center is scheduled to open in the fall.