REACH OUT
Dear Veteran,
Life
is full of challenges and rewards. Everyday life events such as
working, family relationships, and finances, can all be overwhelming at
times. When you feel overwhelmed, remember that you are not alone. You
do not have to go through life’s challenges by yourself. It is okay to
take a moment, reach out and ask for help.
September
is Suicide Prevention Month. During this month, the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) empowers Veterans to connect with resources you
may need now to better respond to challenges you may face later.
Veterans are driven and resilient, but everyone needs help sometimes. It
is not always easy to ask for help, but there are people who want to
listen.
If you are having a difficult time, VA encourages you to reach out for peer-to-peer support, clinical care, or counseling.
Finding Support
If
you are looking for peer-to-peer support, clinical care, counseling or
something else, you can reach out in the following ways:
- Call,
text, or email a friend or family member to ask for support through a
tough time. Veterans can find ways to get started on REACH OUT.
- Connect with a fellow Veteran to talk about what they are going through.
- Use these resources to find support through life challenges:
- VA Solid Start:
Qualified Solid Start representatives will call Veterans three times in
their first year of separation to walk through the benefits available
to them.
- MyVA411:
Veterans, their families, and caregivers can call 1-800-MyVA411
(800-698-2411) to easily access information on VA benefits and services.
- Make the Connection:
More than 600 Veterans and family members from across the country have
shared their stories of strength and recovery. It only takes a few
seconds to find a story to which Veterans can relate.
- SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services:
This tool, which is confidential and anonymous, allows people to search
by ZIP code for local treatment facilities that focus on substance
use/addiction and/or mental health issues.
- Self-Check Assessment:
People cope with stressful situations in different ways. This
confidential, anonymous risk assessment can show if stress and
depression are affecting Veterans.
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans:
Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can get free,
confidential support through the National Call Center for Homeless
Veterans. Call or chat online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If
you find yourself in crisis, do not hesitate to reach out for immediate
help. Emergency care is available by calling 911 or going to your
nearest emergency department. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7
and can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1 if you are a
Veteran) or chat online here or text 838255.
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