United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Mental Health

Suicide Prevention

 

Veterans Crisis Line Banner

Decorative element that reads: It's Your Call, Confidential help for Veterans and their families.

The Veterans Crisis Line is a toll-free, confidential resource that connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders.

Veterans and their loved ones can
call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net*, or send a text message to 838255 to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.

The professionals at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances—from Veterans coping with mental health issues that were never addressed to recent Veterans struggling with relationships or the transition back to civilian life.

Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered more than 650,000 calls and made more than 23,000 life-saving rescues. In 2009, VA added the anonymous online chat that has since helped more than 65,000 people.

VA is working to make sure that all Veterans and their loved ones are aware of the Veterans Crisis Line. To reach as many Veterans as possible, VA is coordinating with communities and partner groups nationwide, including community-based organizations, Veteran Service Organizations, and local health care providers, to let Veterans and their loved ones know that support is available whenever, if ever, they need it.

Act Now

*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.

Warning Signs


People experience emotional and mental health crises in response to a wide range of situations—from difficulties in their personal relationships to the loss of a job. For Veterans, these crises can be heightened by their experiences in military service. When emotional issues reach a crisis point, it’s time to call on the Veterans Crisis Line for support.

Sometimes, a crisis may involve thoughts of suicide. Learn to recognize these warning signs:

  • Hopelessness, feeling like there’s no way out
  • Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
  • Feeling like there is no reason to live
  • Rage or anger
  • Engaging in risky activities without thinking
  • Increasing alcohol or drug abuse
  • Withdrawing from family and friends

The presence of the following signs requires immediate attention:

  • Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
  • Looking for ways to kill yourself
  • Talking about death, dying or suicide
  • Self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse, weapons, etc.

If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who is experiencing any of these signs, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net* today.

Link to the Confidential Veterans Chat
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.

Suicide Prevention Resources

  • Veterans Chat - Veterans Crisis Line*: Veterans Chat enables Veterans, their families and friends to go online where they can anonymously chat with a trained VA counselor. If the chats are determined to be a crisis, the counselor can take immediate steps to transfer the chatter to the Veterans Crisis Line, where further counseling and referral services are provided and crisis intervention steps can be taken.
  • Locate Your Local Suicide Prevention Coordinator*: Each VA Medical Center has a suicide prevention coordinator to make sure Veterans receive needed counseling and services. Calls to the Veterans Crisis Line are referred to those coordinators.
  • DoD/VA Suicide Outreach: Resources for Suicide Prevention**: Provides ready access to hotlines, treatments, professional resources, forums and multiple media designed to link you to others. This site supports all Service Branches, the National Guard and the Reserves, our Veterans, families, and providers.
  • Medal of Honor Recipients: Speak Out! Save Lives**: Our nation's greatest heroes – Medal of Honor recipients – speak out to save lives by encouraging America's military to seek help when adjusting to life after combat.
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.

**Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web sites.

Brochures and Information Sheets

  • How to Recognize When to Ask for Help: Contains information on suicide prevention such as, understanding the warning signs, myths and realities, and Veteran specific risks.
  • VA ACE Card (PDF) and VA ACE Brochure (PDF): The purpose of ACE is to help Veterans, their family members and friends learn that they can take the necessary steps to get help. The acronym ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) summarizes the steps needed to take an active and valuable role in suicide prevention. The VA ACE Card is a pocket guide, supported by the VA ACE Brochure which provides more in depth information.
  • Suicide Attempt Survivor Family Resource Guide (PDF): Designed to provide Veterans and their families with resources that can serve as sources of information and support. The guide contains formation on self-care, care for others (particularly children), and care for the suicide attempt survivor.
  • How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family: These information sheets are intended to serves as guides for adults to use when talking with a 4-8, 9-13 or 14-18 year-old child about a suicide attempt in the family. They are not intended to replace the advice of a mental health professional. In fact, it may be best to use these guides along with professional support if you or your child is struggling with how to talk about this difficult topic. It is important to consider the child's level of development and ability to understand events when deciding how to talk with them about this issue.
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.

Campaign Materials


Stand By Them; We'll Stand With You - Help a Veteran In Crisis

You can show support for our Nation’s Veterans and their families and encourage them to get the care they deserve by downloading Veterans Crisis Line materials and helping us spread the word about this free and confidential resource available to all Veterans and their families.

Web ads in a variety of standard sizes are available for use on public and VA websites. You can also download Veterans Crisis Line logos, posters and other materials to print and display in your community.

Print Materials

Veterans Crisis Line Print MaterialsYou can download Veterans Crisis Line materials and print them from your own computer. Multiple versions of full-color and black and white posters are available for download in both 8.5’’ x 11’’ and 11’’ x 17’’ formats. You can also download and insert your own contact information or event details in a Veterans Crisis Line flyer. Public fact sheets are also available for print.



Web Ads

Veterans Crisis Line Web AdsDownload a variety of online banner ads and badges to use on your website and link to the Veterans Crisis Line. Banner ads and badges are available in standard sizes approved for VA.gov sites as well as public sites.

Logos

Veterans Crisis Line LogoWant to include the Veterans Crisis Line logo on your own materials? The Veterans Crisis Line logo is available for download in a variety of formats. You can also access and download the Veterans Crisis Line Branding Guidelines for guidance on how to consistently apply the various components of the Veterans Crisis Line brand.

Suicide Prevention Month Toolkit

Veterans Crisis Line Print MaterialsSeptember is Suicide Prevention Month and everyone can make a difference. Help spread the word about support available for Veterans in crisis. It's easy to download and print posters and an editable flyer. Use content for articles and social media posting, and place a web banner on your website.

*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.

VA Resources


Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 Press 1

Click Now for Confidential Veterans Chat

Make The Connection Website

Coaching Into Care Website

Homeless Veterans Website