We are announcing today that Coaching Into Care (CIC) will undergo a transition on March 1, and will no longer provide telephone-based coaching for family members and friends who want to encourage a Veteran to seek care. It has been a pleasure to have provided services to Veterans and their families for the past 13 years. The success of this project was made possible through funding by VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the support of three VA centers of excellence: the VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) in Philadelphia, the VISN 6 MIRECC in Durham, and the VISN 22 MIRECC in Los Angeles.

Occasional program changes do occur in the Veterans Health Administration. There are still resources in VA to help family members support Veterans to engage in needed mental health care.

On March 1, callers to CIC’s toll-free number, (888) 823-7458, will be provided a choice of accessing information and referrals to VA services by the staff at the Caregiver Support Line or connecting with the Veterans Crisis Line. Callers can reach the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 confidential support and do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

The website associated with Coaching Into Care (www.va.gov/coachingintocare) will maintain useful guidelines for communicating with a Veteran about seeking mental health care. The approach developed by Coaching Into Care involves family members carefully shifting their communication with Veterans about their experiences, in a way that helps the Veteran feel in charge of their recovery. Even though our core operations are now shifting from providing coaching on a national basis, we are still recruiting for a randomized clinical trial to further develop coaching strategies. Click here to learn about the study and potentially receiving coaching to support your Veteran in seeking mental health care.

The staff at VA’s Caregiver Support Line, (855) 260-3274, can provide support and referrals for family members needing direction to VA treatment facilities. Family members can also look into the Make The Connection website to hear the stories of both Veterans and their families about their experiences with military service, post-traumatic stress disorder and the pathway to effective treatment.

Several of the core staff in Coaching Into Care have developed strategies to support family members concerned about a Veteran who is at high risk for suicide. Coaching Into Care staff have begun a new project working with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) in order to connect with these family members.

Family members can contact VCL to assess immediate risk and to connect with the suicide prevention program. If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.