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VETERAN SERVICES

SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Transitioning from the military. Leaving a job. Ending a relationship. Raising kids. Big life moments can be overwhelming. Veterans don’t have to go through the hard stuff alone, they can take a moment to reach out and ask for help.

During Suicide Prevention Month, held in September, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) works to raise awareness of Veteran suicide prevention and empower Veterans to connect with the resources they need now to prevent suicide later.

Finding support

Veterans are driven and resilient. But everyone needs help sometimes. Whether Veterans are looking for peer-to-peer support, clinical care, counseling, or something else, they can reach out in the following ways:

Call, text, or email a friend or family member to ask for support through a tough time. Veterans can find ways to get started on Take a Moment — Reach Out (va.gov). Connect with a fellow Veteran to talk about what they are going through.

NATIONAL CALL CENTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can get free, confidential support through the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans.

Call or Chat Online 24/7

Get a trained counselor ready to help. Veterans don’t have to be registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans.

VA also provides crisis resources to those who need them. If you or a Veteran you know is going through a crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line. This free, confidential resource connects Veterans or their loved ones to a real person specially trained to support Veterans during times of crisis.

Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Veterans don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or registered with VA to use the Veterans Crisis Line.

For more information and resources, visit Take a Moment — Reach Out (va.gov).

USE THESE RESOURCES TO FIND SUPPORT THROUGH LIFE CHALLENGES

VA Solid Start

Qualified Solid Start representatives will call Veterans three times in their first year of separation to walk them through the benefits available to them. https://benefits.va.gov/transition/solid-start.asp

MyVA411

Veterans, their families, and caregivers can call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) to easily access information on VA benefits and services.

Make The Connection

More than 600 Veterans and family members from across the country have shared their stories of strength and recovery. It only takes a few seconds to find a story Veterans can relate to. https://www.maketheconnection.net/

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services

This tool, which is confidential and anonymous, allows people to search by ZIP code for local treatment facilities that focus on substance use/addiction and/or mental health issues. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Self-Check Assessment

People cope with stressful situations in different ways. This confidential, anonymous risk assessment can show if stress and depression are affecting Veterans. https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/separation-health-assessment.asp#