This Suicide Prevention Month, the Butler VA Offers Veterans Support through Events and Resources
PRESS RELEASE
September 1, 2023
Butler , PA — Veterans are often the first to help others, but it can sometimes be hard for Veterans to accept or ask for help themselves. This September, throughout Suicide Prevention Month, the Butler VA Health Care System is offering events and resources to help Veterans who are struggling.
In addition to the local resources offered, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Ad Council have released new public service advertisements (PSAs) as a part of the ongoing national campaign: “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” which first launched in 2021. The new PSAs were informed by extensive research with Veterans and features a diverse range of Veterans reflecting on the difficulties of asking for support. The PSA directs audiences to VA.gov/REACH, a comprehensive website designed to help Veterans navigate the wide range of resources available.
“The VA has made great strides in Veteran suicide prevention, but much work remains to be done,” said Sharon Coyle, Director. “Through this campaign, we hope to generate more awareness and that there is hope for those who are struggling. Please don’t wait and reach out today! We are here to help you.”
This month, Veterans, Veteran family members and caregivers, servicemembers, and community partners and businesses are invited to attend a special viewing of The Ripple Effect on September 21, 2023, starting at 2pm, and a Walk to Remember with Resource Fair on September 28, 2023, from 12pm – 2pm. Both events will be held at the Butler VA Health Care System campus located at 353 North Duffy Road. For more information about these events, please contact Jeff Patterson, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, at 878-271-6543.
Although the Veteran suicide rate meaningfully decreased in both 2019 and 2020, the suicide rate among Veterans in 2020 was 57% higher than non-Veteran adults, according to the most recent available data from the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Suicide is complex, and stressful life events like life transitions or struggles with housing can be risk factors. The Butler VA offers resources to support Veterans across a wide range of life challenges, before these problems become overwhelming.
Butler VA’s efforts support VA’s 10-year strategy to end Veteran suicide through a comprehensive, public health approach. According to VA’s 2022 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report:
- In each year from 2001 through 2020, age- and sex-adjusted suicide rates of Veterans exceeded those of non-Veterans.
- Among Veterans between ages 18–44, suicide was the second-leading cause of death.
- 44,298 U.S. adults died in 2020 from suicide. This included 6,146 Veteran suicides.
Everyone can be part of the solution by checking in with the Veterans in their life and encouraging them to reach out if they need help. Visit VA.gov/REACH to download and share social media content to spread the word.
In addition to hosting special events throughout Suicide Prevention Month, the Butler VA offers assistance for Veterans all year round such as individual and evidence-based psychotherapies, group therapy, and whole health. Learn more by visiting: www.va.gov/butler-health-care
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.