In This Issue

Feature Topic

#BeThere - National Suicide Prevention Month

#BeThere - Show That You Care

Every September, Suicide Prevention Month gives individuals and communities across the country an opportunity to reflect on the ways we can all prevent suicide, including among Veterans.

You don't need special training to help prevent suicide, and even simple actions of support can make a real difference to a Veteran going through a difficult time. For instance, asking how a Veteran is doing — and listening — shows you care.

#BeThere - Thoughtful Ways You Can Be There

• Call an old friend to say hello
• Send a text to check in (for example, "Hey, we haven’t talked in a while … how are you?")
• Reach out and share resources when you read a social media post that may indicate thoughts of suicide
• Share stories of hope and positivity on your social media accounts
• Take the S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training online from PsychArmor Institute to learn how to talk to a Veteran who is having suicidal thoughts

#BeThere - Resources to Help Veterans Who Have PTSD

VA's National Center for PTSD has resources available to help Veterans who have PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Visit the National Center for PTSD's website to:

• Learn about treatment options, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure, which are both beneficial treatments for Veterans with PTSD. Reductions in PTSD symptoms are often associated with decreases in suicidal ideation, so if you or someone you know has PTSD or is thinking about suicide, seek treatment.
• Explore the Decision Aid, an online tool that helps you learn about and compare effective treatments, so that you can work with a provider to choose the best option for you.
• Hear Veterans share their unique stories of living with PTSD and the impact that treatment had on their – and their families' – lives with AboutFace.

Suicide is Preventable

Suicide is preventable, and each of these actions could help save a life. To end Veteran suicide, we all must work together. We all have a role to play, in Suicide Prevention Month and every month. Thank you for joining us in this mission.

Call the Veterans Crisis Line for Help

If you believe that a service member or Veteran in your life may be contemplating suicide, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online. Qualified and compassionate VA responders are on call 24/7/365 to connect Servicemembers and Veterans with support and keep them from harm.

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For Providers

Consult with PTSD Experts PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting. This program is open to Community Providers.

PTSD Lecture Series

• October 16, 2019: Unconventional Interventions for PTSD: State of the Evidence, Paul Holtzheimer, MD

Mark Your Calendar

Third Wednesday of the month at 2pm ET. Download a calendar reminder to save the date.

Subscribe

Sign up to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

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Research at the Center

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety Of Intranasal Esketamine

National Center researchers are examining the efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine in addition to comprehensive standard of care for the rapid reduction of the symptoms of major depressive disorder, including suicidal ideation, in adult subjects assessed to be at imminent risk for suicide.

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PTSD in the News

Meaningful PTSD Symptom Decrease May Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Research from Saint Louis University and the National Center for PTSD finds treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that leads to an improvement in symptoms was associated with a 49 percent lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Read more.*

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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