Be There for Veterans: Suicide Prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Month

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) works to raise awareness of Veteran suicide prevention and empower Veterans to connect with the resources they need now to prevent suicide later.

About PTSD and Suicide

Going through trauma may increase a person’s risk for suicide. Studies show that suicide risk may be higher in people who have PTSD.  Find out more about the relationships between suicide, trauma and PTSD and on ways to help prevent suicide.

• Read about the relationship between trauma, PTSD and suicide.
• Find out about common reactions after trauma, that may include suicidal thoughts and behavior.
• Learn to recognize the red flags of emotional crisis

Get Help: The Veterans Crisis Line

Whether Veterans are looking for clinical care, counseling, assistance with benefits, or something else, local and national tools and resources are available at the Veterans Crisis Line website.

The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that connects Veterans or their loved ones to a real person specially trained to support Veterans.

Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Veterans don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care or registered with VA to use the Veterans Crisis Line.

Veterans Crisis Line - Find out more... 

PTSD Consultation Program Treating Veterans with PTSD? We can help. Any healthcare provider treating Veterans can ask our expert clinicians a question.  Meet our consultants and get started. PTSD Monthly Lecture Series September 15, 2021 at 2pm ET - Cultural Considerations for Conducting Trauma-Focused Treatment with Latinx Patients by Natalia Garcia Gonzalez, PhD and Agustina Colombo Eiff, MSW Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2pm ET Subscribe to monthly emails to find out how to join live lectures. Registration is required to receive free continuing education credit for attending the live lecture.

Resources of the Month

Integrating Mobile Apps with Mental Health Care - Tech into Care can help you learn how to integrate mobile mental health applications (apps) into care for Veterans. Our apps provide self-help, education and support for PTSD and related issues. Health care professionals can use the treatment companion apps with Veterans to keep them engaged between sessions. Most of the apps are available for both iOS and Android devices.

Provider Guide to Addressing Veterans' Reactions to Current Events in Afghanistan - Read tips on how to check in with and support Veterans who served in Afghanistan, or other conflicts, who may be experiencing strong emotions related to the U.S withdrawal from the country.

Prevalence, Correlates, and Treatment of Suicidal Behavior in US Military Veterans

Center researchers completed a study reviewing using data from the National Health and Health and Resilience in Veterans study, reviewing prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviors. Results suggest that nearly two-thirds of veterans with current suicidal ideation are not engaged in mental health treatment, signaling the need for enhanced suicide prevention and outreach efforts.

VA Ensures Access to Health Care as 9/11 Anniversary Nears

Dr. Sonya Norman, Director of the PTSD Consultation Program, talks with the Sierra Sun Times about PTSD care for Veterans.

Read More*

Coping with Current Events in Afghanistan

Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be experiencing a range of challenging emotions related to the U.S withdrawal from the country. Veterans who served during other conflicts may also be feeling strong emotions as they may be reminded of their own deployment experiences.

Read More