
Dr. Caitlin Thompson, Director of VA Office of Suicide
Prevention, said, “You
don’t have to be a trained professional to support someone who may be going
through a difficult time. We want to let people know that things they do every
day, like calling an old friend or checking in with a neighbor, are strong
preventive factors for suicide because they help people feel less alone. That’s
what this campaign is about—encouraging people to be there for each other.”
The
VA hopes that the #BeThere campaign will help make people aware of the many
resources available through the VA for veterans and service members at risk for
suicide or who are struggling with mental health issues.
In
addition, the VA is launching a new program this month called REACH VET, which
will help identify vulnerable veterans under VA care and get them the help they
need before they reach crisis mode.
All
of the resources listed below are available to ANY veteran or service member.
You do NOT need to be registered or enrolled with the VA to use these services.
- The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day.
You may call 1-800-273-8255 and then press 1, you can text 838255, or chat
online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
- The Veterans Center Combat Call Centers are also
available 24/7 to combat veterans or service members serving in a combat area.
These call centers are staffed by other combat veterans. Call 1-877-WAR-VETS
(927-8387).
- The Suicide Prevention Month website is VeteransCrisisLine.net/BeThere.
- A Suicide Prevention Month Tool Kit that can be used to
help spread the word in your community about veteran suicide prevention is
available at veteranscrisisline.net/spreadtheword.
If
you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues or thinking
about suicide, we urge you to talk to someone you know or contact any of the
crisis lines listed above. Most communities also have local crisis lines that
you can use. Help is available—just ask.
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