Keep on Living Cast & Crew Members

One life lost to suicide is one too many. And for every loss, there are many more who attempt. Your voice can help someone stay.

Imagine losing a loved one every half hour.

Too many families and communities live with that pain because far too many veterans die by suicide.

According to VA’s 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, there are 17.6 veteran suicides per day. Shockingly, a separate study, Operation Deep Dive, suggests the number may be higher — when including self-injury mortality.

📄 Learn more::

VA’s 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2024/2024-Annual-Report-Part-2-of-2_508.pdf

Operation Deep Dive https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/opdd-archives

Behind every number is a person — a neighbor, sibling, parent, or friend — who served our country and now battles invisible wounds. And the ripple of each loss touches an estimated 115 people: families, friends, coworkers, and communities left to grieve and rebuild.

This is more than a statistic. This is a call to action.

Meet Keep On Living: More Than a Film — It’s a Movement

I’m Niurka Castaneda, U.S. Army veteran, filmmaker, and advocate. Over the past few years, I have directed and produced Keep On Living, a feature-length documentary centered on veterans’ voices and the diverse paths to healing. This film is honest, hopeful, and focused on practical recovery and community connection.

Filming is complete, and now we’re in the crucial post-production phase. This work ensures Keep On Living reaches those who need it most, amplifying stories that inspire, educate, and heal.

Meet Some of Our Voices of Change

The soul of Keep On Living is carried by these extraordinary individuals — veterans, survivors, advocates, and healers — each sharing their story to ignite change and save lives.

Dr. Moriah Thomas, Ph.D., LMHC, BCC is a Marine Corps veteran and Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Combining military discipline with academic expertise, she specializes in trauma and mental health, creating authentic and supportive spaces for individuals to heal.
Dr. Kamin (Bell) Samuel, PhD – veteran, high-performing consultant, executive coach, and filmmaker/producer of Courage to Thrive, Dr. Kamin helps individuals and leaders transform challenges into new opportunities for growth.
Shawn Moore, LMSW –a mental health advocate and surviving family member whose personal loss fuels her dedication to supporting military families. She is also the Director of Family Support at Project Sanctuary and Director of Support Programs at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
Kathryn Casello, LCSW – She serves on the Advisory Board for the KEYS 365 non-profit organization, dedicated to saving lives through interactive suicide prevention education, which inspires open conversations and strengthens meaningful community connections. She is a behavioral health provider for the Marine Corps… She is also a Marine Corps spouse. She grew up as an Air Force kid. Her father was a combat rescue officer that served in the Air Force for over 20 years
Jessica-Rose Johnson – A suicide prevention advocate, host of the Unbreakable Hope podcast, USMC veteran, and adaptive sports coach, Jessica-Rose empowers others to reclaim strength and live with purpose.
Richard Kauffman – An Army Veteran and the host of Vertical Momentum Podcast, Richard transformed his darkest moments into a mission, helping fellow veterans reclaim purpose through resilience, entrepreneurship, and honest conversation.
Rachelle Smith – Veteran, and host of The Silenced Voices of MST, Rachelle amplifies the experiences of survivors of military sexual trauma, breaking stigma and fostering dialogue.
MAJ (R) Annette (Garcia) Whittenberger , CEO of A Wild Ride Called Life, LLC, and founder of the Veterans’ Story Project. She is a TEDx Speaker AND Mental Health Advocate.
Dr. Julie Ducharme, PHD: CEO She Talks- Lead and Empower Her, TEDx speaker. She is a visionary changemaker dedicated to empowering others to pursue their purpose. Through her work with leaders, professionals, and those reentering the workforce, she helps people harness their strengths to create meaningful success in life and work. Known for her dynamic and inspiring speaking style, Dr. Julie transforms sparks of potential into powerful movements of empowerment.
Gilberto Luna Zequeira – U.S. Army veteran whose journey through healing embodies determination, resilience, and the power of community.
Jeannie Windham – She is a surviving family member who shares her journey to bring comfort, awareness, and hope to other military families.
Jessica-Patrice Coulter – Veteran and holistic wellness trainer and facilitator, Jessica empowers others through body-based healing, mindfulness, and movement.
Chrystelle Anderson – Veteran, End-of-Life Doula, and the Founder of Cynthia’s Crossings End of Life Services. Chrystelle helps individuals and families find peace, dignity, and connection during life’s most difficult transitions.
Lee Roberts – Navy veteran, founder of Reveille Bridge Veterans Foundation, Lee works to provide mental health support, transition assistance, veteran homelessness prevention, and renewed purpose for veterans.
Daniel Faust – Veteran and host of Go from War Hero to Superhero, Daniel helps service members transform military skills into civilian success.
Kimberly Tyson aka Queen Kimmie – Army veteran and motivational speaker inspiring others to embrace their voice, identity, and strength, turning challenges into powerful testimonies.
Robin Bramson – PATH International CTRI, ESMHL, and Program Director/Head Riding Instructor at Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center, Robin uses equine-assisted therapy to restore trust and connection for veterans.
Melody Guy – a Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice and fearless storytelling that blends rock, country, soul, and pop. Her latest album, Dry the Rivers, produced by Michael Webb, explores love, loss, survival, and redemption. A passionate advocate for music’s healing power, Melody leads workshops for veterans, Thistle Farms residents, and young musicians nationwide.
Mack Bailey – Experienced music therapist, Executive Director, and Founder of Music Therapy Retreats, Mack uses sound and rhythm to help veterans process grief and rediscover joy.
Madison (Maddie) Offenberger, MT-BC is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, dedicated to supporting veterans’ mental health through the healing power of music. Maddie has provided music therapy in medical and mental health settings including oncology, psychiatry, and substance use recovery. She currently serves as Continuing Community Leader for Music Therapy Retreats and brings her expertise in creative healing to Keep On Living to help illuminate the role of music in resilience and recovery
Carola Vom Hagen is an advocate and creative leader who bridges cultural divides through storytelling and collaboration. Founder of ColorCurriculumCure™, she combines Interior Architecture with Psychotherapy to transform spaces into emotionally supportive environments.
Nefertiti San Miguel – Creator of Neurobana and ikebana expert, Nefertiti blends art, neuroscience, and traditional Japanese floral design to create therapeutic experiences for veterans and communities.
Pamela (Black) Dabney a U.S. Air Force veteran, wellness practitioner, and founder of The Positive PURGE People. She empowers veterans, families, and communities through wellness, advocacy, and storytelling.
Jeffrey Hall is a veteran and multifaceted professional with expertise in project management, IT healthcare processes, and business development
Brian Gibson, an Army veteran and retired Combat Medic, founded Project Diehard in 2018 to support veterans and their families through faith-based counseling, skill training, and transitional housing. Drawing on his own experiences with loss, the darkness of suicidal thoughts and redemption, he is dedicated to restoring hope and empowering those who have served.
Ivan Delgado is a multidisciplinary creative, a graphic designer, animator and Library Media Project Instructor at YouMedia Miami, with the Miami-Dade Public Library System.
Paola Fernandez is a multidisciplinary creative, a videographer, a graphic designer, and Library Media Project Instructor at YouMedia Miami, with the Miami-Dade Public Library System
Hilario Castaneda, father of Niurka Castaneda, the producer of Keep on Living, appears in the film as part of a tribute to his life, honoring the memory of his two sisters lost to suicide. Now facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s, Hilario’s presence reflects resilience, love, and the enduring impact of family and loss.
Niurka Castaneda is a U.S. Army veteran and the producer & director of Keep On Living. She creates powerful, purpose-driven media that educates, empowers, and inspires, using storytelling to drive transformative change, especially within the veteran community.

Your Support Unlocks More Than a Movie

When you join the Keep On Living movement, you bring these voices to schools, workplaces, policymakers, and communities across the nation — and you’ll receive exclusive rewards:

🎬 Digital downloads of behind-the-scenes footage & extended interviews
🎟 Early access to the full documentary before public release
🎁 Exclusive swag
📖 Movie poster
🙏 Special Thanks in Film Credit
💙 Suicide Prevention Pack (Your pack will include a campaign shirt, a sticker, and resource information cards for you to spread throughout your community.)
Become a Sponsor — The Most Direct Way to Help

Your sponsorship will:

🎥 Production Costs – Finalizing filming, equipment, crew, complete editing, sound mix, color grading, and music licensing.
🎙 Amplifying Voices – Sharing the stories of veterans and survivors through powerful interviews and storytelling.
🌍 Community Outreach – Hosting screenings, workshops, and connecting veterans with vital resources.
📢 Awareness Campaign – Spreading the message far and wide to inspire change.
📝 Accessibility – Providing subtitles, closed captions, and accessible formats to ensure everyone can experience the film.
Your support also makes possible:

Nationwide screenings in schools, workplaces, and community centers
Development of educational toolkits to guide healing conversations
Creation of marketing materials to expand reach
Legal fees, Errors & Omissions insurance, MPAA rating, and Title & Clearance reports
Distribution and marketing on major platforms
Festival submissions for greater visibility📌 Sponsors receive recognition in credits & promotional materials, invitations to screenings and panels, and meaningful opportunities for corporate social responsibility aligned with veteran well-being.
Join us as a sponsor: amorumbrella.com/thefilm

Early support and community responsibility

Prevention often begins before crisis. Recognizing changes in mood, social withdrawal, or expressions of hopelessness and responding with compassion builds a life-saving safety net. For many veterans, the transition to civilian life brings lost structure and connection; community programs, peer support, and accessible mental health care reduce isolation and strengthen resilience.

Local organizations, nonprofits, and veteran-led initiatives play a crucial role by creating safe spaces, offering mentorship, and bridging the gap to clinical services. Together, these efforts form the neighborhoods of support that make recovery possible.

The power of storytelling

Storytelling reduces stigma and invites empathy. When veterans share their journeys — not as spectacle, but as honest testimony — they create pathways for others to seek help. Keep On Living amplifies those voices and offers practical examples of healing that others can follow.

Will you stand with us?

This crisis is immense but not inevitable. With your sponsorship, partnership, or voice, Keep On Living becomes a resource that educates, heals, and connects.

Join us. Be part of the movement.

How You Can Help

👉 Support our crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo — every contribution helps bring this life-saving film to completion. https://igg.me/at/keeponliving/x/28736051#/

👉 Visit amorumbrella.com/thefilm to become a sponsor, share your story, host screenings, or learn more about how you can help save lives.

If you can’t sponsor right now, your voice and actions still matter:

Share this article. Help break the silence.
Call a friend. Check in — your voice may mean the world to them.
Smile at a stranger. Kindness can spark connection.
Support your neighbor. Even small gestures can ease someone’s burden.
Other ways to make an immediate difference:

Share your story. Your truth can inspire courage in others. 📩 Send 400–900 word submissions (no PDFs) to: info@amorumbrella.com
Take the pledge. Commit to being a voice for life — speak up, show up, and stand with those in crisis.

Support a survivor. Add your name to our Voices of Hope Wall.
Remember a loved one. Honor their legacy on our Gone But Not Forgotten Wall
👉 Find more ways to help here: amorumbrella.com/thefilm/save-a-life/

More ways to make an immediate difference:

Share the trailer . Start conversations by posting the Keep On Living trailer: https://youtu.be/QQNApnMoIm4?si=8adpTskm6zNxEVq4
Host a screening. Lead a community or virtual discussion with our support toolkit.
Watch the film. Keep On Living premieres in late 2025 — stay connected for details.— Niurka Castaneda U.S. Army veteran | Filmmaker | Advocate