Help prevent Veteran suicide all year round

Every September, we recognize Suicide Prevention Month. Over the course of those 30 days, as it does throughout the year, VA works to raise awareness of suicide prevention efforts and encourages Veterans and their supporters to take action. But suicide prevention isn’t something that happens one month a year.

Ending Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority. We know that suicide can be prevented, but how are we working to do it every day? We combine the best evidence-based health practices and community-based approaches to form our suicide prevention strategy. Simply put, VA can’t end Veteran suicide alone. It will take more than just one organization, one person or one plan.

There are things anyone can do to help. You can educate yourself and others about suicide prevention or check in on the Veterans in your life. Whatever you decide to do, you need to know what to look for to help a Veteran in crisis.

Know the risk factors and warning signs

We all face challenges in our lives. Some of those challenges can become too heavy and turn into a crisis. Recognizing the signs of a crisis goes a long way in knowing when to find support for yourself or a Veteran in your life. Some actions and behaviors that show immediate help is needed include:

• Thinking about hurting or killing themselves immediately
• Looking for ways to carry out suicide
• Talking about death, dying or suicide in an immediate sense
• Self-destructive or risk-taking behavior, especially when it involves alcohol, drugs or weapons

While these examples are extreme, remember warning signs can also be more subtle, such as:

• Neglecting personal welfare and appearance
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Giving away prized possessions
• Tying up loose ends
• Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness or mood swings
• Losing interest in hobbies, work or school 

Take time to learn about the signs of a crisis and share the information with others. It’s important to be prepared because you never know when a Veteran loved one may need support.

Suicide prevention doesn’t stop after you recognize a sign or signs of crisis. You also need to know what kind of resources are out there. 

Find resources

If a Veteran in your life is going through a tough time, be prepared with resources you can share or use together. Here’s a list of resources available to all Veterans and their supporters:

• Veterans Crisis Line: Contact the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 crisis support—Dial 988, then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
• VA Resource Locator: Connect to your nearest resources based on your ZIP code or city and state.
• VA Suicide Prevention: Explore suicide prevention resources to build networks of support among community-based organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, health care providers and other members of your community.
• Don’t wait. Reach out.: Get support designed specifically for you whether you’re a Veteran, family member or friend.
• National Resource Directory: Find a wide range of national, state, and local services and resources.

Spread the word

Another way we can support Veteran suicide prevention efforts is to share information and resources through our personal and social networks. This can be a simple action, such as creating a post or sharing a story on your Facebook or Instagram page, sending an email to a group of Veteran friends to let them know you’re there for them or sharing with others what you learned about suicide prevention. 

You can find free, shareable social media content and graphics, newsletter information, email signature graphics, videos and more at VeteransCrisisLine.net. This is one easy way to spread the word and offer support to those who may need it.

Take action

Everyone has a role to play in preventing Veteran suicide. By knowing the warning signs of a crisis, understanding where to turn for help and spreading the word about suicide prevention and suicide prevention resources, we can all make a difference.

The Veterans Crisis Line is a lifesaving resource for all Veterans. Save the number in your phone in case you need it and share the Veterans Crisis Line contact information with the Veterans in your life.

Suicide Prevention Month may shine a spotlight on how to spot warning signs or find resources. But we focus on Veteran suicide prevention all year. Join us as we work to keep Veterans safe and healthy every day.