No matter what, VA is here for you.
Through my work with VA, I meet a diverse range of Veterans. They’re from all across the nation, from coastal cities to rural areas in the center of the country. They’re at different stages of their lives. Some are parents of young children and some are grandparents and even great-grandparents. Their experiences in the military were vastly different from those who deployed to combat zones to those who stayed stateside during times of peace.
Because all Veterans are different, VA offers a range of resources to support Veterans at any stage of their life, wherever they live, and however they served. No matter your challenges, we’re here for you.
No matter if you’re enrolled in VA health care or benefits
One of the most important ways to prevent suicide is strengthening protective factors like access to mental health care, feeling connected to other people and positive coping skills. At the same time, it’s crucial to reduce risk factors—like easy access to firearms or certain medications and the stress that comes with difficult life events, such as divorce, job loss or the death of a loved one.
You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to access many VA suicide prevention resources that can help increase protective factors and decrease risk factors.
- Use the free self-help tool. The Veteran Training self-help portal provides tools to help Veterans work on problem-solving, managing anger, developing parenting skills and more. The free tools are based on best practices that have been successful with Veterans and their families.
- Learn about secure firearm and medication storage. While firearms and medications are usually handled responsibly, they can become deadly if a Veteran is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide. Because many suicide crises are brief, safe storage practices can save a life by increasing the amount of time and distance between someone having a suicide crisis and access to a firearm or medication. Visit KeepItSecure for more tips on how to keep Veterans and their families safe.
- Check out VA’s app store. Download free apps to help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD, create a custom step-by-step safety plan to stay safe when experiencing thoughts about suicide, and access tools to help track and improve sleep. Many more apps covering a range of issues are available.
No matter when, where or how you served
When Veterans have access to the right resources before a crisis happens, lives can be saved. No matter if you deployed, remained stateside, saw combat, what your MOS was or your discharge status, you’ve earned the access to lifesaving support.
- Get support designed specifically for you. Life has its challenges. As a Veteran, you don’t have to solve them alone. Don’t wait. Reach out. Explore VA resources by category like career, education, money, relationship and health challenges, feelings of depression or isolation, life transitions and experiencing grief or loss.
- Learn the steps involved in suicide prevention. VA S.A.V.E. Training provides information to help you act with care and compassion if you encounter a Veteran in crisis or having thoughts of suicide. The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember the important steps in suicide prevention:
- Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized.
- Ask the most important question of all. Are you thinking of killing yourself?
- Validate the Veteran’s experience.
- Encourage treatment and expedite getting help.
No matter the day or time
Are you going through the end of a personal relationship or loss of a job? Everybody faces difficult times in life and people cope with stressful situations in different ways.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 to connect you with caring, qualified responders ready to listen and help: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
No matter where you’re located
Whatever you’re facing, we’re here to connect you with resources and support systems to help. Our resource locator tool can help you find the VA programs and services closest to you.
No matter what you’re experiencing
Suicide is preventable and there is hope. We have help available any day, any time, wherever you’re located, no matter what you’re experiencing. These resources are ready whether you’re enrolled in VA health care or receiving benefits, regardless of when, where or how you served.
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I’ve been a patient at the VA since 1976. I was 30 years old. Since that time, they have been a constant. For 40 years, they have followed me. Others’ experiences may not have been so helpful, but they’ve been there.
Another Excellent article for all of us & is Definitely a Great Benefit for any Veteran anywhere or any time
HELP: Elderly Veteran Affairs Primary Healthcare Needs Upgrade Solutions.
Comprehensive Veteran Affairs Primary-Healthcare Services Specifically Addressing 65+ Elderly Veterans Needing Highly-Knowledgeable, Experienced, And Compassionate Primary-Healthcare Physicians/Personnel For The Adequate And Proper Elderly Medical Treatment-Options Necessary, Available, And Acceptable By Elderly Veteran Patients-Acknowledgments Concerning Veterans Affairs Elderly-Healthcare Services.
Elderly-Care Patient’s-Options Concerning 65+ Aging Veterans Healthcare Issues Such As;
Elderly Chronically-Severe Pain Issues, Empowering Elderly Veterans Patients Decision-Making-Choices In The Proper Medical-Treatments For Them Concerning Elderly-Veteran Affairs Medical Healthcare Issues, And Their Available-Options.
Compassionate, Comprehensive, Experienced, And Knowledgeable Veteran Affairs Healthcare Services And Personnel Are Greatly-Needed For All Elderly Veterans Today And In The Very-Near Future.
Ignoring, Denying, And Not Properly Addressing, Not-Properly Providing Elderly Veterans Healthcare Services, And Disregarding Veterans Affairs Healthcare Services Personnel Elderly-Biases Are Not-Justifiable Options For Anyone.
A Society Is Measured By The Way It Treats Its Children, Disabled, And Elderly Population.
What Does This Say About All Of Us As A Nation?
And, For Those Whom Have Honorable Served Our Nation So-Admirably?
Thank you,
The Vietnam War was not a good time. I came back thinking I was without problems. Less than a year later I was diagnosed with MS. The VA stepped up and helped me much sooner than I ever thought possible.
Many people tell me, thank you for your service.”
To the VA I thank you for your service, as well. USA !
No Veteran left Behind…this is a blessing that none of us should take for granted, there are a “HELLUVA LOT” of my Brother Veteran friends that just like myself find themselves in that Dark place & just knowing that we have help readily available is the best feeling ever, there is a enormous amount of civilians (Friends) that don’t have any access to this kind of Professional Help…Thanks again Department of Veterans Affairs for all that you do..Sincerely
Does this mean the VA is no longer “means testing” every veteran?
It’s funny to me you guys say that, but you’re not really here for most of us. I have reached out so many time to get help with rent through shallow subsidy, with eviction letters in hand to be denied. I see the va spend money on these programs hundreds of mikkukbs of dollars and as a service cinnected vet I don’t qualify. Trying to figure out every month which bill to pay and what not to. You guys haven’t done anything in fact you’ve made my life worse.
It’s a lie, there is no help