Throughout 2024, we shared information about Veteran suicide prevention, the Veterans Crisis Line and VA resources, programs and initiatives. All these articles were connected by our main tenets of suicide prevention:
- Suicide is preventable.
- You don’t have to be an expert to help a Veteran going through a challenging time, you just need to show genuine care and concern.
- You don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or benefits to use many of our resources.
- There is hope.
If you didn’t have a chance to read all our articles this year, not to worry. Here’s a recap of what we explored in 2024.
Suicide is preventable
A critical part of preventing a crisis is to be prepared, which includes understanding the resources available to you and how they work.
- What to expect when you connect with a suicide prevention coordinator (published Feb. 20) and Beyond the call: Understanding the Veterans Crisis Line (published Sept. 30) describe what happens when you contact a VA suicide prevention coordinator and Veterans Crisis Line responder, respectively. In sharing information about these types of resources, I hope Veterans and their family members will feel more comfortable in reaching out for support when they need it.
- Take the time: Reduce your risk of suicide crisis (published Aug. 19) focuses on how learning about lethal means secure storage practices through VA’s Keep It Secure program can reduce suicide risk.
You don’t have to be an expert to help a Veteran going through a challenging time
Some people think because they’re not a health care professional, they can’t help a Veteran facing a crisis. You don’t have to be an expert. You can help a Veteran by sharing suicide prevention resources, learning how to have a conversation with a Veteran about suicide and supporting them as they take steps to reduce their suicide risk.
- What to do if a Veteran you served with is talking about suicide (published Feb. 27) discusses steps to take if a Veteran you care about is having thoughts of suicide.
- Six ways anyone can start the conversation with a Veteran about suicide (published April 16) provides guidance on how anyone can talk about it, and anyone can help someone who’s struggling with suicide.
- Being prepared for a suicide crisis (published July 22) focuses on learning to recognize crisis signs and warning signs and what to do if you notice them in yourself or a Veteran you care about. The article also discusses VA S.A.V.E. Training, which is designed to teach anyone who interacts with Veterans how to recognize warning signs of crisis and what to do to help a Veteran who may be at risk.
You don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or benefits to use many of our resources
No matter if you’re enrolled in VA health care or benefits, your location, or what you’re experiencing, VA is ready to support all Veterans.
- Help for Veterans facing thoughts of suicide (published April 23) focuses on how Veterans transitioning from service can strengthen or build a support system through resources offered by VA and Veteran-centric organizations.
- No matter what, VA is here for you (published July 13) reinforces VA offers a range of resources to support Veterans at any stage of their life, wherever they live, and however they served.
There is hope
One of the main ideas I wanted to convey with these articles over the last year is that suicide is preventable, and there is hope.
- Veterans: Embrace change and find hope this spring (published March 28) talks about how if a Veteran is facing dark times, like having thoughts of suicide, they might think they’ll never feel better. But with the right support, Veterans can embrace change and find a way forward.
- Five coping strategies for Veterans and their loved ones after a suicide attempt (published Aug. 9) focuses on the steps you can take on this journey of hope and healing.
- Flipping the script: Redefining how we look at Veteran suicide prevention (published Sept. 4) highlights that suicide isn’t the inevitable outcome if you’re going through a crisis.
The idea of hope is so important. What gives Veterans and their loved ones hope is that there are resources available and people who care about you and want to help. Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect, I encourage you to reach out.
If you’re going through a tough time or know a Veteran who is struggling, contact the Veterans Crisis Line—Dial 988, then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net, or text 838255. We’re here for you whenever you need us. As I wrote earlier this year: You, and your story, matter.
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The VA is a crok of sh*t. They game me brain damage because a doctor didn’t care about checking my meds for a conflict. Now I can’t remember what someone said 30 seconds ago. I have begged and begged for help in functing in my daily life and they have two answers. Either go f*ck yourself of give up ALL my rights and get put away. They have spent a year lying about what they did to me. I have had doctors take my side only to have their boss enter the room and deny and change their records. I can promise you that if a message pops up that this issue has been solved shows up saying this was resolved it was a lie. It’s been over a year and they have tried to stop me from getting help at every level all the way up to the highest level. They tell me they ARE helping because the gave me a therapist. How the hell is that going to help if I can’t remember what they said? They will not fix what they broke. They will not help what they destroyed. They are waiting for me to kill myself. I keep trying to find hope but I keep finding out there is none. I gave my life to this country and they left me a husk of a human being. The least they could have done is finish me off but they are too cruel to end my suffering. F-ck the USA.
What we learned about suicide prevention this year, NOTHING
BETWEEN CANCILING SURGERY’S AT LAST MINUTES, EXTENDING APPOINTMENT WAIT FROM A MONTH OR TWO TO A YEAR, TO DENYING AGENT ORANGE AND THE REST OF THE HAZARDOUS FUELS & MATERIALS WE WALLOWED IN BENEFITS FOR 50 YEARS ITS A WONDER THERE ARE NOT MORE SUICIDES
THE VETRAN MONTRA IS:
“THE RULE IS DENY TILL THEY DIE”
IT SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT ENTRANCE TO THE VA BUILDINGS.
[Editor: This comment was forwarded to the Veterans Crisis Line. Earlier today, the VCL made contact with the commenter and considers this matter resolved.]
I AM SUICIDAL
I SPELLED OUT WHY IN MY LAST COMMENT
WILL YOU POST THIS?
WHY DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO A CORRUPT AGENCY?
AS A COMBAT VETERAN, WITH EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE LIFE ALTERING TOXINS….
I AM APPALLED, DISAPPOINTED AND BETRAYED BY THE PACT ACT.
THE PACT ACT IS A LIE, A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY, A GRANDSTANDING PROMOTION USING VETERANS AS CASH COWS.
THE IDEA OF “PRESUMED” EXPOSURE IS A FARCE THAT ONLY BENEFITS THE VA.
HERE’S WHY THE VA IS CORRUPT
THE IDEA OF EXPANDING BENEFITS TO PRESUMED TOXIC EXPOSED VETERANS CREATES A NEED FOR MORE FUNDING.
UNDERSTAND THE PRESUMED TOXIC EXPOSED VETERANS WILL CORRUPT ALL FUTURE TOXIC EXPOSURE STUDIES , AS THE TEST SAMPLES WILL NO LONGER BE PURE.
SO WHY WASTE FUNDS STUDYING OUTCOMES NOW THAT THE VA HAS A JADED SYSTEM PRODUCING FALSE RESULTS?
THE VA CREATED THE PACT ACT TO DISENFRANCHISE THE VETERANS THAT HAVE FACED A LIFETIME OF HARDSHIP DUE TO THEIR EXPOSURE.
THE DICTIONARY DEFINES PRESUMED AS GUESSED, WHY WOULD FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUND GUESSES? A GIVEAWAY TO THE UNDESERVING?
A BETRAYAL TO THE REAL VICTIMS OF THIS CRIME PERPETRATED BY THE VA.
PROVIDING A LIST OF TOXINS AND STAYING CURRENT WITH SCIENCE IS A MANDATE FOR FUNDING
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HAS WITHHELD TOXIC EXPOSURE INFORMATION FROM CONGRESS-
THE VA’S PRESCRIPTION FOR TROUBLED VETERANS IS “NUMB AND DUMB” FREELY GIVING VETERANS BENZODIAZEPINES, OPIOIDS AND LORAZEPAM, WHICH ONLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE RISE IN SUICIDES.
SURPRISINGLY CONGRESS APPROPRIATES FUNDS TO STUDY SUICIDE WHILE THE VA IS CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RISING DRUG OVERDOSE SUCIDES.
AS A WHISTLEBLOWER I CONTINUE TO BE DISCREDITED AND HARASSED. NOT ONE RESPONSE FROM ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL. I’VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE VETERANS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO NO AVAIL.
THE VA IS OUT OF CONTROL-
COUNTLESS OVERLAPPING RESOURCE PROGRAMS
EACH NEW PROGRAM DEMANDING MORE FUNDS
DEVELOPING A STRUCTURE THAT IS INSULATED FROM ANY REDRESS
PROUD OF THEIR UNFAIR, COMPLEX CLAIMS SYSTEM THAT NEVER GIVES THE VETERAN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
GUILTY OF COLLUSION WITH COMP/PEN DOCTORS TO ALWAYS REPORT IN VA FAVOR
SENDING ME TO COMP/PEN DOCTORS THAT DIDN’T KNOW THE TOXIN I WAS BEING SCREENED FOR.
CHANGING RULES, FORMS, REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OR NOTICE.
A VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER FOR HELP? IS LIKE GOING TO THE DEVIL WHILE THINKING IT’S HEAVEN. AS THE SERVICE OFFICER REQUIRES YOUR POWER OF ATTORNEY BEFORE HELPING
CREATING A TECHNICALLY INTELLECTUAL HEALTH PLATFORM , THAT HAS LOST A HUMAN TOUCH AND LEFT MANY SENIOR VETERANS WONDERING HOW TO LOG IN.
CONTRADICTIONS RUN RAMPANT, THE VA HAS CONCEDED MY EXPOSURE, PETER RUMM (HEAD OF TOXIC EXPOSURE DIVISION) SAID I SHOULD FILE AS THE TOXIN I WAS EXPOSED TO WAS NEVER REVEALED TO CONGRESS. THE VA HAS STONEWALLED ME.. DENYING, DELAYING AND MAKING ME SUICIDAL.
AFTER A REJECTED TORT FILING, AND REJECTED APPEAL: THE VA CONCLUSION WAS THAT MY TOXIC EXPOSURE AND SUBSEQUENT HORRIFIC LIFE WAS A FUNCTION OF MY COMBAT INFANTRY SERVICE…AND WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
WHY IS IT THAT THE VA STUDIES AND REPORTS VETERAN SUICIDES, BREAKING DOWN ALL
NUMBERS , COMBAT/NON COMBAT, AGE , MEANS TO THE END…ETC…
BUT NEVER REPORTING IF THEY WERE A VICTIM OF TOXIC EXPOSURE OR HAD A CLAIM PENDING BEFORE THEY TOOK THEIR LIFE.
SAVE FUNDS:
DUMP THE PACT ACT, REQUIRE VETERANS TO PROVE THEIR CASE AS I HAVE.
APPOINT A VETERAN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE.
[Editor: This comment was forwarded to the Veterans Crisis Line. Earlier today, the VCL made contact with the commenter and considers this matter resolved.]
VA is asleep at the wheel. They talk the talk but never walk the walk…
Most , if not all Veteran suicides all have one underlying fact in common.
So… I’ve watched 2 fellow veterans that I went through cognitive therapy with me, end their life recently.
The VA never focuses on the cause, read the summary above… The VA harasses me with suicide line calls that only become another trigger and takes another piece of the sanity I have left.
The VA doesn’t want to confuse the issue with facts… so they try and divert attention from intent rather than address the underlying real cause. Sure they keep use NUMB and DUMB with Drugs… That’s why the drug related suicides have increased… they are an accomplice.
The one common thread to suicide is hopelessness. Unfortunately the VA doesn’t recognize that as disability and treats its symptoms without truly understanding and taking responsibility.
The VA offers a hand holding service that only creates more suicidal ideation..
With all the $ spent , programs , seminars and resources the suicide rate has increased, I’d say what your doing isn’t helping.
READ THIS , THIS IS WHY I AM SUICIDAL
WHY DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO A CORRUPT AGENCY?
AS A COMBAT VETERAN, WITH EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE LIFE ALTERING TOXINS….
I AM APPALLED, DISAPPOINTED AND BETRAYED BY THE PACT ACT.
THE PACT ACT IS A LIE, A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY, A GRANDSTANDING PROMOTION USING VETERANS AS CASH COWS.
THE IDEA OF “PRESUMED” EXPOSURE IS A FARCE THAT ONLY BENEFITS THE VA.
HERE’S WHY THE VA IS CORRUPT
THE IDEA OF EXPANDING BENEFITS TO PRESUMED TOXIC EXPOSED VETERANS CREATES A NEED FOR MORE FUNDING.
UNDERSTAND THE PRESUMED TOXIC EXPOSED VETERANS WILL CORRUPT ALL FUTURE TOXIC EXPOSURE STUDIES , AS THE TEST SAMPLES WILL NO LONGER BE PURE.
SO WHY WASTE FUNDS STUDYING OUTCOMES NOW THAT THE VA HAS A JADED SYSTEM PRODUCING FALSE RESULTS?
THE VA CREATED THE PACT ACT TO DISENFRANCHISE THE VETERANS THAT HAVE FACED A LIFETIME OF HARDSHIP DUE TO THEIR EXPOSURE.
THE DICTIONARY DEFINES PRESUMED AS GUESSED, WHY WOULD FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUND GUESSES? A GIVEAWAY TO THE UNDESERVING?
A BETRAYAL TO THE REAL VICTIMS OF THIS CRIME PERPETRATED BY THE VA.
PROVIDING A LIST OF TOXINS AND STAYING CURRENT WITH SCIENCE IS A MANDATE FOR FUNDING
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HAS WITHHELD TOXIC EXPOSURE INFORMATION FROM CONGRESS-
THE VA’S PRESCRIPTION FOR TROUBLED VETERANS IS “NUMB AND DUMB” FREELY GIVING VETERANS BENZODIAZEPINES, OPIOIDS AND LORAZEPAM, WHICH ONLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE RISE IN SUICIDES.
SURPRISINGLY CONGRESS APPROPRIATES FUNDS TO STUDY SUICIDE WHILE THE VA IS CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RISING DRUG OVERDOSE SUCIDES.
AS A WHISTLEBLOWER I CONTINUE TO BE DISCREDITED AND HARASSED. NOT ONE RESPONSE FROM ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL. I’VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE VETERANS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO NO AVAIL.
THE VA IS OUT OF CONTROL-
COUNTLESS OVERLAPPING RESOURCE PROGRAMS
EACH NEW PROGRAM DEMANDING MORE FUNDS
DEVELOPING A STRUCTURE THAT IS INSULATED FROM ANY REDRESS
PROUD OF THEIR UNFAIR, COMPLEX CLAIMS SYSTEM THAT NEVER GIVES THE VETERAN THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
GUILTY OF COLLUSION WITH COMP/PEN DOCTORS TO ALWAYS REPORT IN VA FAVOR
SENDING ME TO COMP/PEN DOCTORS THAT DIDN’T KNOW THE TOXIN I WAS BEING SCREENED FOR.
CHANGING RULES, FORMS, REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OR NOTICE.
A VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER FOR HELP? IS LIKE GOING TO THE DEVIL WHILE THINKING IT’S HEAVEN. AS THE SERVICE OFFICER REQUIRES YOUR POWER OF ATTORNEY BEFORE HELPING
CREATING A TECHNICALLY INTELLECTUAL HEALTH PLATFORM , THAT HAS LOST A HUMAN TOUCH AND LEFT MANY SENIOR VETERANS WONDERING HOW TO LOG IN.
CONTRADICTIONS RUN RAMPANT, THE VA HAS CONCEDED MY EXPOSURE, PETER RUMM (HEAD OF TOXIC EXPOSURE DIVISION) SAID I SHOULD FILE AS THE TOXIN I WAS EXPOSED TO WAS NEVER REVEALED TO CONGRESS. THE VA HAS STONEWALLED ME.. DENYING, DELAYING AND MAKING ME SUICIDAL.
AFTER A REJECTED TORT FILING, AND REJECTED APPEAL: THE VA CONCLUSION WAS THAT MY TOXIC EXPOSURE AND SUBSEQUENT HORRIFIC LIFE WAS A FUNCTION OF MY COMBAT INFANTRY SERVICE…AND WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
WHY IS IT THAT THE VA STUDIES AND REPORTS VETERAN SUICIDES, BREAKING DOWN ALL
NUMBERS , COMBAT/NON COMBAT, AGE , MEANS TO THE END…ETC…
BUT NEVER REPORTING IF THEY WERE A VICTIM OF TOXIC EXPOSURE OR HAD A CLAIM PENDING BEFORE THEY TOOK THEIR LIFE.
SAVE FUNDS:
DUMP THE PACT ACT, REQUIRE VETERANS TO PROVE THEIR CASE AS I HAVE.
APPOINT A VETERAN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE.
Thank You VA for this amazing Compassion shown toward all of our Brothers & Sisters, this is a for real issue in our World