The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center is asking the public to assist them in reaching out to veterans in crisis during Suicide Prevention Month by recognizing the signs of potential suicide and sharing available resources with veterans and others.
VA’s theme for Suicide Prevention Month is “Be There,” which emphasizes the need for everyone faced with a veteran in crisis to act responsibly in addressing the veteran’s needs by sharing available resources. VA is calling on community leaders, supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family members to be there for veterans and active duty military service members, underscoring the fact that early intervention can play a pivotal role in preventing suicide.
“You don’t have to be a trained professional to support someone who may be going through a difficult time,” said Dr. Caitlin Thompson, Director of the VA Office of Suicide Prevention.
“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 campaign also highlights VA resources that are available to support veterans and service members who are coping with mental health challenges or are at risk for suicide, and it encourages everyone to share these resources with someone in their life.
“We hope our Suicide Prevention Month efforts help educate people about the VA and community resources available nationwide,” said VA Under Secretary for Health David J. Shulkin, M.D.
“We’re committed to working with experts and organizations across the country to identify ways we can help Veterans and Servicemembers get the care they deserve and to expand the network of mental health support.”
Veteran suicide data released by the VA Office of Suicide Prevention in early August 2016 serves as a foundation for informing and evaluating suicide prevention efforts inside the VA health care system and for developing lifesaving collaborations with community-based health care partners.
Dublin VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator and social worker Casey Sisco said that no veteran or veteran supporter need suffer without help.
“VA has so many resources available for veterans in crisis and the people who care about them. Each VA medical center has a suicide prevention coordinator so we encourage anyone who has a need to reach out to their local coordinator or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press one. Just as this year’s theme says, we’re asking everyone to ‘be there’ for veterans and anyone else in crisis,” Sisco said.
More information is available at VA’s Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, maketheconnection.net,www.mentalhealth.va.gov, or text to 838255. Resources are available even if a veteran is not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.