VA recruitment video shines light on Veterans Crisis Line responders

Any one of us can have a setback in life and find ourselves in an emotional crisis. Veterans may experience these issues more intensely due to military service history. The first responders at the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) are there to help. They provide confidential counseling so Veterans and active duty personnel are never alone in managing a crisis.

Last year, the VA Careers recruitment marketing team took our cameras to the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System to film these and other VA employees in action. The resulting video series highlights the many possibilities of a VA career, including serving as a VCL responder.

Since 2007, VCL counselors have deployed evidence-based practices to help more than 3 million Veterans and their family members through difficult and crisis situations.

“The typical responder has a mental health background,” Dr. Dennis M. Gaines, VCL supervisor, says in the video. These staff members understand mental health issues and can draw on different practices and procedures to respond appropriately to those who contact VCL, he says.

Choose VA for the benefits

Topeka has openings for VCL responders. These positions are like other VA mental health careers in benefiting from knowledge shared by the VA National Center for PTSD. Choosing a VA career in mental health also lets you:

• Work anywhere in the United States and territories with one active license.
• Receive from 13 to 26 days of paid time off per year, 13 sick days annually with no limit on accumulation and 10 paid federal holidays.
• Join a federal health insurance plan that comes with premium-support group health insurance, including dental, vision and long-term care, that may become effective on the first full pay period after you start.
• Gain access to retirement benefits including Social Security, a pension and 401(k)-type plan with matching contributions of up to 5% and take these benefits with you if you leave federal service.

Choose VA today

Be there for Veterans experiencing emotional issues and their loved ones. Choose a VA career in mental health today.

• WATCH the VA Careers’ Veterans Crisis Line video.
• SEARCH by keyword for an open position near you or view careers by location.
• LEARN about the benefits of a VA career.
• CHOOSE VA at VAcareers.va.gov.

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with VA. Many of them are Veterans themselves. Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255 or chat online.