About Us

Convergence is a nonprofit Veteran support organization promoting Veterans’ mental health and healing, particularly among Veterans with PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideations.

Our unique collaborative approach to Veteran support sets us apart from other organizations. We believe no single agency or organization can solve these complex issues alone, hence our name – Convergence.

We have created a comprehensive and innovative support system that has never been done before.

We are different in that we work closely with a comprehensive and innovative support system of many partners, doing everything as a team. Our teammates include government agencies, businesses, healthcare providers, and other nonprofits.

We bring together multiple organizations’ collective resources, expertise, and community connections to achieve the goal.

Together, we make a tangible difference in the lives of Veterans and their families.

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Mission

Our mission is to provide personalized and innovative opportunities for Veterans in need, offering them the resources and support necessary to overcome physical and psychological challenges.

Vision

The vision of the Convergence team is a world where our Veterans have access to all the resources, tools, benefits, and support they deserve.

Through our dedication and commitment, we strive to honor the sacrifices of those who have served by enabling them to lead fulfilling and empowered lives.

Importance

Convergence was founded and continues to be run by a team of Veterans and their supporters.

We know it is crucial to support Veterans’ mental health as they often face unique challenges that can lead to mental health concerns such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Veteran’s Mental Health Crisis

The Problem
During over two decades of continuous war, starting in 2001, the United States deployed over 2.7 million voluntary service members to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among those that returned home, an estimated 1/3 or more suffer from PTSD, depression, or other trauma-related conditions. These conditions have significant negative impacts on Veterans’ health and well-being.

According to the 2022 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, from 2001-2020, suicide rates among Veterans have been from 12.1 to 66.2% higher than those of non-Veterans.

The VA’s 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report shows just how urgent this remains, using 2023 data:
- The Veteran suicide rate was about twice the non-Veteran adult rate in 2023.
- After adjusting for age, Veteran suicide rates were 49.7% higher for men and 103.1% higher for women than for non-Veterans in 2023.
- 61% of Veterans who died by suicide in 2023 had not received VA health care in the prior year.
- Suicide was the second-leading cause of death among Veterans under age 45 in 2023.
- Veterans ages 18–34 had the highest suicide rate of any age group: 47.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
Veteran suicide is a devastating measure of this crisis — the same VA report counted 6,398 Veteran suicide deaths in 2023, or 17.5 a day — but it isn’t the whole picture. A VA mortality study of Post-9/11 Veterans found accidents, not suicide, were the leading cause of death, followed by suicide, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and homicide.

National CDC data shows the toll goes beyond mental health, too: 22.2% of male Veterans ages 25–64 live with two or more chronic conditions (vs. 17.0% of non-Veteran men), rising to two-thirds of male Veterans 65 and older. Women Veterans face a similar gap at every age, and roughly a third of Veterans report a diagnosed arthritis condition — part of the greater burden of chronic pain and disability Veterans carry relative to non-Veterans.

Although the VA has taken steps to improve Veterans’ access to mental healthcare by allowing Veterans to see non-VA mental health professionals, it simply isn’t enough.

A 2018 study from BMC Health Service found that 77.9% of eligible Veterans lived in rural communities, and of these rural Veterans, 70.2% were in areas with a mental healthcare shortage.

These disheartening statistics clearly show that the current resources for treating PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues for Veterans are insufficient.

We MUST provide additional support for our returning service members – support that doesn’t rely on the VA or overwhelmed local mental health providers in the rural areas where many Veterans live.
Our Solution

Convergence is an innovative solution that improves the lives of Veterans by providing them with a single point of contact for a multitude of accessible mental health resource and support to tackle the challenges they face every day.

We support Veterans’ mental health through programs centered on the healing power of animals, nature, and mental health professionals.

Donate to the mission to fight the Veteran's Health Crisis

A Veteran in silhouette, reflecting on the mental health challenges faced after service

Our Therapy Resources

Convergence is an innovative solution that enhances the lives of Veterans by providing them with a single point of contact for a multitude of accessible mental health resources and support to address the challenges they face daily.

Our focus is on addressing the complex symptoms of PTSD and other mental health conditions that affect military men and women after their service.

We believe that our collaborative approach will significantly reduce the rates of suicide, depression, and other mental health issues among the Veterans we serve.

Our vision is to change the narrative of Veteran mental health, and we are excited to partner with other organizations, agencies, and individuals who share our commitment to this cause.

We use a holistic and innovative approach to supporting Veterans’ mental health through programs centered on the healing power of animals, nature, and mental health professionals. Our team of partnered licensed mental health professionals are in 12 states and growing.

Mental Health Professionals

Our team of partnered mental health professionals take the guess-work out of mental health.
We connect Veterans with care providers who have experience working with Veterans or (in some cases) who are Veterans themselves.
SCUBA Diving Therapy

The underwater diving environment is also known to have a positive impact on mental health, particularly among those with PTSD.
In fact, a study by Johns Hopkins reported an astounding 80% reduction in PTSD symptoms post-dive.
Beyond PTSD, national CDC data shows Veterans also carry a greater burden of arthritis, chronic pain, and disability than non-Veterans — physical conditions the low-impact, buoyant diving environment is uniquely suited to ease.
Convergence provides dive therapy opportunities in partnership with M/V Ceaseless Explorer, currently staged in Rio Dulce, Guatemala getting ready to return to its home-base in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
"Pets for Vets"

A VA study on the benefits of service and emotional support animals found that Veterans’ mental health was improved “from having a companion animal, likely due to the strong human-animal bond which helped the owners to cope more effectively in times of crisis.”
Convergence partners with several animal rescues to pair waiting pets with our Veterans.
Veteran - Involved Humanitarian Missions

A key component of mental health for Veterans is to recognize that just because your military service has ended, that does not mean your mission is over.
For many Veterans, continued commitment to service is a key piece of their post-military life.
Your life still has purpose. There are people in this world whose lives you have the ability to improve.
Convergence brings Veterans together in a team environment to conduct humanitarian and environmental aid missions both in the U.S. and abroad.
By accomplishing the shared goal of helping others, our Veterans in turn help themselves. We are “Veterans Helping Veterans Helping Others.”

Retreats

Therapeutic retreat programs give Veterans the opportunity to physically remove themselves from their everyday environment and be transported into a new space where accelerated growth and healing are possible.
Convergence currently offers a retreat opportunity through a partnership:
M/V Ceaseless Explorer is a 56′ Long Distance Expedition Trawler. It serves as a Multi-Role Service Support Vessel. It is stationed at Boca Del Toro, Panama.
From a diving platform for Veterans to use as a Mobile Medical Clinic, our vessel serves a multitude of missions.
Veteran - Involved Scientific Programs

While visiting or crewing aboard the M/V Ceaseless Explorer, Veterans are immersed in a familiar team environment with the camaraderie that many miss from their service days.
Ceaseless Explorer crew give back through participation in various types of scientific research programs through our partnership programs including the Marine Observer Program through NOAA.

Partner Highlights

Sullivan Lake

Sullivan Lake, located in the northwest Washington mountains, is a stunning example of the beauty of our country's wilderness. It offers world-class recreational opportunities such as fishing, camping, canoeing, and hiking. During winter, it transforms into a winter wonderland, offering unique opportunities such as ice fishing and views of bighorn sheep. With its rich history, this lake serves as a beacon of exploration and rejuvenation, inviting our Veterans to connect with nature and create lasting memories in the great outdoors. Our partnership with the US Forest Service allows us to use Sullivan Lake for Veteran retreats and outdoor recreation.

Contact for more information

Sullivan Lake recreation area map — US Forest Service

Support Convergence with your purchase from Armed Forces Gear

When you click the link below and make a purchase from Armed Forces Gear, 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to Convergence.

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Our Leadership Team

Convergence is a program founded and led by Veterans, First Responders, and mental health professionals. Our senior leadership team members bring a combined wealth of personal and professional experience navigating the types of mental health and well-being challenges our Veterans face in their post-military lives.

Daniel Erbling, CEO/Executive Director

Daniel’s professional career includes senior executive roles in Fortune 250 organizations in marketing resource management, IT, and supply chain.

He currently works as a consultant, volunteer firefighter, and rancher in the Inland NW.

Erbling brings a personal perspective to Convergence’s mission as a current TBI patient whose treatments, insurance claims, physiological, and psychological events afford him a firsthand perspective of what Veterans encounter with their disability claims, post-military careers, and adjusting to civilian roles.

Mark Ford, Co-Founder/COO

Mark is a U.S. military Veteran whose background includes 27 years as a tactical medic, 16 years of which were with DHS counterterrorism operations.
Due to high suicide rates at his agency, Mark became a certified peer counselor, Veterans’ assistance liason, critical incident stress de-briefer, and a trained cognitive hypnotherapist.
Mark is passionate about assisting returning Veterans who have physical and/or psychological trauma which is beyond the scope of currently available VA support.
Mark personally leads Convergence service missions/ops, giving participants the chance to serve alongside a trained peer counselor who helps them identify, understand, and better respond to PTSD triggers in their everyday lives.
Capt. Dave Mucci, Programs Director

Dave is a Pararescue Veteran with a special skill set and a no-fail attitude willing to assist those in need. He is a previous owner/operator of the dive charter business Bluewater Adventures of Pensacola and was the dive safety officer for the Escambia County Marine Resources division and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. He holds the Divemaster certification rating through PADI and NAUI and has logged in excess of 2500 dives. Dave is an environmentalist and an “Invasive Species Control Specialist,” focusing on the removal of the highly Invasive lionfish. Dave’s dedication to his fellow Veterans and his love for the environment provide a very unique therapeutic setting and outlet for those Veterans suffering from PTSD.
Susan (Rose) Ford, Spouse Peer Support Specialist & Director of Operations

Susan has been married to Convergence co-founder, Mark Ford, for over 12 years. She refers to her marriage to her husband as her military service. Military members and Veterans, particularly those in Special Forces, have consistently higher divorce rates than their civilian peers. Susan is passionate about providing peer support for the spouses of Veterans as they navigate their own unique challenges and marriages.
Doug Redmond, Project Manager

Doug Redmond brings more than four decades of leadership in construction, project management, and operational excellence. He has earned a reputation for delivering complex projects on time, within budget, and with an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and integrity — building trusted relationships and leading diverse teams across Canada and internationally.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Doug's greatest passion is serving people. Through years of hands-on Christian mission work across Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Malta, England, and Panama, he has helped build homes and community facilities, trained local tradespeople, supported disaster relief, and mentored youth — experiences that shaped his servant-leadership philosophy.
As Project Manager, Doug is honored to bring that same heart for service to Convergence's mission of empowering Veterans and their families. His guiding principle: when people are cared for, strong communities — and lasting legacies — are built.
Paul Brown, Maintenance Manager / Chief Engineer

Paul serves as Convergence's Maintenance Manager and Chief Engineer, keeping the organization's facilities, vehicles, and equipment mission-ready for every retreat and service operation.
His hands-on approach ensures Veterans and volunteers always have a safe, well-maintained environment to gather and serve.
Nathan Akridge, Director of Public Relations

Nathan Akridge has served 22 years in the United States Army. During that time, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and served along the Southwest U.S. border.
Akridge has served as a Public Affairs NCO, a Family Advocacy Specialist, and a Community Relations NCO.
His passions include volunteering and he continues to help out at the Killeen Food Care Center during his spare time.
Akridge’s long-term goals include getting his dog Olivia trained as a service dog and to continue serving the Active Duty and Veteran communities.
Erin Driskill, Director of Mental Health Services

Erin Driskill, LCSW, is the founder and director of Choose Well-Being Psychology Education.
She has her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and over 15 years of experience working in community mental health at the first worldwide Dialectical Behavior Therapy clinic
Erin has extensive experience with high-risk populations, including suicide substance, trauma, loss, co-morbid disorders, chronic depression, panic, and anxiety.
Howard Breitrose, VP of Creative/Marketing and Communications

Howard is a creative photographer, filmmaker, creative designer, and storyteller with experience in creative direction and operations management. He enhances and streamlines creative workflow processes and technology integration initiatives to deliver valuable client solutions. Howard helps brands connect meaningfully through empathy, emotion, and big ideas. He works collaboratively with other practice leads to create brand and marketing strategies and launch marketing campaigns that drive revenue. Howard is passionate about elevating brands and his team.