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Strength in Facing Challenges Together: Reach Out to Prevent Veteran Suicide

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The sobering reality is that many people reading this have had a loved one die by suicide, including Veterans, their families and their friends. Suicide is a public health challenge that brings immeasurable pain. There is hope, though, because suicide is preventable.

Veteran suicide is an urgent issue that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), along with our stakeholders, partners, and communities, must address. 

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States and Veterans are at higher risk for suicide compared to the general population. The suicide rate among Veterans in 2021 was 71.8% higher than non-Veteran adults in the U.S., according to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. These numbers are infinitely more than statistics — they reflect Veterans’ lives prematurely ended, which continue to be grieved by survivors, our communities and the nation.

Suicide is complex. Suicide has no one cause—many events such as trauma, loss of a loved one, divorce or relationship struggles, job loss, substance use, or housing challenges can be risk factors for suicide. 

Whether you’re a Veteran or have one in your family, it’s important to understand that Veterans face unique challenges. Fear of judgment, difficulties accessing care, misconceptions about support, past trauma, and other concerns can impact when and how Veterans reach out for help.

Strength in reaching out

If you are a Veteran, when was the last time you reached out for help? Veterans were trained to put a mission or others before themselves, which can make it harder to accept or ask for help. Veterans also understand the importance of trust and collaboration during missions.  The same applies to challenges—just as you didn’t face them alone during your service, you shouldn’t as a civilian. 

For the Veterans in your life, do they know they can reach out to you? What resources do you want to help connect Veterans to when they need support?  

Life has its challenges. Veterans don’t have to—and should not have to— experience them alone. 

Tools for prevention and resources for support

At VA, we recognize Suicide Prevention Month each September to raise awareness about Veteran suicide, to provide our communities with tools for prevention, and to empower Veterans to connect with the resources they need. 

Here are some resources and support we want all Veterans, and the people who care for and love them, to know are available: 

  1. Keep your mental health strong! VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options and more. If a Veteran wants to connect to mental health support, start by contacting your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center (www.vetcenter.va.gov). 
  2. Veterans Crisis Line: If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Here’s how you can connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder, anytime day or night:
  • Dial 988 and Press 1, or
  • Text 838255, or
  • Start a confidential chat at veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat, or
  • If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

You can also take these actions: 

  • Call 911.
    • Go to the nearest emergency room. Under the COMPACT Act, eligible Veterans in an acute suicidal crisis can go immediately to any VA or non-VA facility to receive emergent care at no cost to them.  
  • VA behavioral health providers and suicide prevention care coordinators at VA Western Colorado Health Care System offer Veterans support when you are struggling or are in a crisis. These responders support Veterans by mobilizing resources, providing counseling, and other services to help Veterans navigate challenges.

Suicide Prevention Coordinator: Rainy Reaman, 970-263-2800 (ext. 2378), rainy.reaman@va.gov

  1. Stay connected! If you are a Veteran, maybe you’re fine. And if you’re not fine, it’s okay. Reaching out is hard. Do it anyway. 

Whether you are a Veteran or not, call or text to check on a friend or loved one. Remind them you are there for them simply by saying: "How's everything going? I'm here for you if you want to talk or need help finding support.”

  1. Educate yourself and be ready: Learn the warning signs of an emotional or mental health crisis, how to support a Veteran at risk for suicide, or how to access mental health and suicide prevention resources. Visit Reach.gov/SPM to find support near you. Just enter your zip code for a range of acute care and outpatient services, or come to our Suicide Prevention/ Mental Health Summit on September 27, 2024 at 4:30 P.M. in the Colorado Mesa University Ballroom.

We all have a role to play in preventing suicide among Veterans and we ask everyone to commit to supporting the Veterans in our community. No one is meant to face life’s challenges alone, and together, we can make a difference alongside our Veterans.

We can end Veteran suicide, and by working together, we will.

Sunaina Kumar-Giebel, Director, VA Rocky Mountain Network

Richard Salgueiro, Executive Director, VA Western Colorado Health Care System