Stack Up

Stack Up is a military charity supporting active and veteran service members from the US and allied nations by promoting positive mental health and combating veteran suicide through gaming and geek culture.

Video games, and the culture that surrounds them, have proven to assist in overcoming struggles with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts among the military and veteran community.

Through care packages, morale boosting trips, local and online engagement, and crisis intervention services, we seek to engage military and veteran service members at all levels to provide a sense of community and a healthy outlet for those who may be facing challenges.

“Supply Crates” are video game care packages sent to deployed units and veterans in need. They serve as a preventative measure, aiding to prevent the onset of operational stress by providing a healthy outlet for decompression before there’s a problem. For those who are already struggling, our Supply Crates provide an outlet through which veterans can reconnect with their peers.

“Air Assaults” are all expenses paid trips for veterans to attend gaming and geek culture events. These trips reduce the threat of isolation by enabling them to connect with members of their military family who share their interests and introduce them to a community of fans and industry professionals who support and admire them.

“The Stacks” are our volunteer force for good. These teams, located in many places around the globe, serve veterans and their communities by hosting events, participating in community projects, and creating opportunities for veterans to come together in their local area and support one another. In addition to local engagement, Stack Up has a robust online community, via Discord, that provides a 24/7 resource for people to stay connected with one another.

Our “Overwatch” program provides 24/7 crisis intervention and peer to peer mental health support through our Discord community. Regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor, veterans and civilians alike are welcome to come speak with our trained and certified volunteers about whatever challenges they might be facing.

Since our incorporation in November 2015, Stack Up has consistently gained ground in terms of attention and support from media outlets as well as game industry professionals. Our program output has steadily increased each year, with new programs and initiatives being added over time. In 2022, Stack Up successfully supported around 6,300 veterans through our four pillar programs.

As awareness and requests for our services continue to increase, we aim to grow our staff proportionately and drastically increase the amount of support provided through our pillar programs. We typically receive far more requests than our capabilities allow us to support but, as our funding and operational capacity increase, we will endeavor to bridge the gap until such a time as our services are no longer required.