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Suicide Prevention – Veterans, There is Hope

Suicide Prevention – Veterans, There is Hope
By April Love, VISN 19 writer-editor

Suicide prevention among veterans remains a public health priority, but the facts are clear. Suicide is preventable. Veterans need not suffer silently or alone. There is help 24/7 for Veterans in crisis as well as for family members who seek confidential support for their loved ones.

September bears the sobering, yet necessary, title of Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Veterans are taking their lives each day, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to eliminating that statistic. VA encourages veterans and concerned loved ones to connect with needed resources to help prevent a suicidal event.

Earlier this year, in a move to save more veterans’ lives, VA instituted the Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act. Under this initiative, eligible Veterans experiencing an acute suicidal crisis can immediately present to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/Emergency_Care.asp.

Here’s how you can help our veteran community:

  1. Reach out to a veteran: Call or text to check on a friend or loved one. Simply asking: "How's everything going? I'm here for you if you want to talk or need help finding support." 
  2. Hear veteran stories: Everyone needs help sometimes. More than 600 Veterans and family members have shared powerful stories of finding support and overcoming challenges. View their videos at: MakeTheConnection.net.
  3. Educate yourself: Learn how to spot warning signs of an emotional or mental health crisis, support a veteran at risk for suicide, or identify mental health and suicide prevention resources.
  4. Locate resources: Visit Reach.gov/SPM to find support near you. Just enter a zip code for a range of acute care and outpatient services.
  5. Spread the word: You can make a difference. Simply forward this article/column to a colleague to help raise awareness.

VA behavioral health providers and suicide prevention care coordinators offer the support you need in a crisis. These responders work with providers and community organizations to assist veterans who are experiencing emotional or mental health challenges. Please, connect with them to get ongoing support, counseling, and other services. Weekdays, during normal business hours, please contact:

Suicide Prevention Clinical Director: Tiffany Jo Merrill, PhD, tiffany.merrill@va.gov, 801-582-1565 x2786

National crisis resources are also available 24/7. The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that connects any veteran or their loved ones to a live person specially trained to support veterans:

You can also take these actions:

  • Call 911.
  • Go to the nearest emergency room.
  • Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. You need not be enrolled in VA health care to get help. Visit https://www.va.gov/find-locations/ to find your nearest VA medical center.

Life certainly has its challenges, but it can be better if we work together and support each other through #VetsReachOut.

Thank you for helping to prevent Veteran suicide,

Sunaina Kumar-Giebel
Director, VA Rocky Mountain Network

Angela D. Williams
Director, Salt Lake City
Health Care System

Mrs. Sunaina Kumar-Giebel is the director, VA Rocky Mountain Network (Veterans Integrated Service Network 19).

Angela D. Williams is the medical center director, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.