WHO
WE ARE

David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation was established to advance brain health care for military and veterans by addressing traumatic injury and suicide prevention.

We are dedicated to the well-being of Naval Special Warfare and special operations forces, active-duty military, veterans and their families.

DAVID’S STORY

In 2019, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade David R. Metcalf, a decorated Navy SEAL combat operator, took his life after serving several tours through the Pacific, Iraq and Afghanistan. David wrote a letter to his wife, Jamie, detailing his symptoms that aligned with TBI resulting from injuries received in training and combat. Following David’s death, Jamie recognized the importance of sharing her husband’s story with the hope of helping other families.

Today, Jamie, together with David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation co-founders Shannon and Frank Finn, parents of an active-duty Navy SEAL, are dedicated to serving Naval Special Warfare and special operations forces by addressing traumatic injury and suicide prevention for the well-being of active-duty military, veterans and their families.

WHAT
WE DO

Working alongside clinicians and Naval Special Warfare and special operations forces, David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation funds research and programming designed to advance brain health care through early detection and intervention, including:

• Enhanced brain injury evaluations, beginning with baseline brain health assessments

• Innovative brain injury screening technology for use during training and combat deployments

• Improved care and wellness solutions for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families

WHY
OUR
MISSION
MATTERS

Through their training, deployments and transition back to civilian life, Navy SEALs and their families face challenges like no other. The clandestine nature of their operations and potential for mental and physical injuries require the highest level of assessment and care.

Studies show that special warfare operators like David are nearly 30% more likely to die by suicide than members of conventional military forces. Early detection of TBI can help improve quality of life for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families.

The suffering caused by TBI is enormous, and we are determined to address the problem through advanced science and improved assessment and treatment protocols.

DONATE

OUR
CALL TO
ACTION

The need is urgent and the numbers are staggering. Between 2001 and 2021, over 30,000 active-duty personnel and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 died by suicide, compared to the 7,057 service members who died in combat during that same 20-year period.

Source: “Costs of War” Papers. June 2021. Watson Institute, Brown University.

WHO WE ARE

David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation was established to advance brain health care for military and veterans by addressing traumatic injury and suicide prevention.

We are dedicated to the well-being of Naval Special Warfare and special operations forces, active-duty military, veterans and their families.

DAVID’S STORY

In 2019, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade David R. Metcalf, a decorated Navy SEAL combat operator, took his life after serving several tours through the Pacific, Iraq and Afghanistan. David wrote a letter to his wife, Jamie, detailing his symptoms that aligned with TBI resulting from injuries received in training and combat. Following David’s death, Jamie recognized the importance of sharing her husband’s story with the hope of helping other families.

Today, Jamie, together with David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation co-founders Shannon and Frank Finn, parents of an active-duty Navy SEAL, are dedicated to serving Naval Special Warfare and special operations forces by addressing traumatic injury and suicide prevention for the well-being of active-duty military, veterans and their families.

WHAT WE DO

Working alongside clinicians and Naval Special Warfare and special operations forces, David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation funds research and programming designed to advance brain health care through early detection and intervention, including:

• Enhanced brain injury evaluations, beginning with baseline brain health assessments

• Innovative brain injury screening technology for use during training and combat deployments

• Improved care and wellness solutions for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families

WHY OUR
MISSION MATTERS

Through their training, deployments and transition back to civilian life, Navy SEALs and their families face challenges like no other. The clandestine nature of their operations and potential for mental and physical injuries require the highest level of assessment and care.

Studies show that special warfare operators like David are nearly 30% more likely to die by suicide than members of conventional military forces. Early detection of TBI can help improve quality of life for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families.

The suffering caused by TBI is enormous, and we are determined to address the problem through advanced science and improved assessment and treatment protocols.

DONATE

OUR
CALL TO ACTION

The need is urgent and the numbers are staggering. Between 2001 and 2021, over 30,000 active-duty personnel and veterans who served in the military after 9/11 died by suicide, compared to the 7,057 service members who died in combat during that same 20-year period.

Source: “Costs of War” Papers. June 2021. Watson Institute, Brown University.

David R. Metcalf Invisible Wounds Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

EIN 87-4071937

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