VA launches suicide prevention awareness campaign

September is suicide prevention month and The American Legion is helping the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) raise awareness about its mental health resources that are available to support veterans in crisis.

The American Legion spoke with Dr. Caitlin Thompson, VA’s deputy director of suicide prevention, about VA’s suicide prevention awareness resources and awareness efforts.

Q: What happens when a veteran contacts the Veterans Crisis Line, chat service, or sends a text?

A: The veteran gets connected to resources local to them. There are suicide prevention coordinators (over 300) located at every VA in the country. We are able to connect veterans with their local suicide prevention coordinator who can then ensure they are getting the treatment and resources they need, like getting enrolled in VA care. I want to really stress that even if you don’t use VA care, these are services (the crisis line, online chat service, and texting option) that are available to all veterans in crisis or having thoughts of suicide.

It’s a confidential service so people can call and they don’t even have to say who they are. We respect where everybody is coming from and who everybody is. And we respect what the crisis is that they are calling about. Our primary motivation is to get them the help that they need.

We have the most caring and compassionate people who are going to answer the phone, answer the text, answer the chat – who can listen and really think through what the next steps are in terms of getting them through the crisis. We are there to listen, we are there to care, and we are there to help.

Some of our responders are veterans themselves and many are family and friends of veterans and the rest are just people, including me, who are so passionate about this work and about serving those who served our country.

Veterans and their loves ones can connect with VA responders 24 hours a day, seven days a week by:

• Calling the toll-free hotline (800) 273-8255, and then pressing 1

• Texting the number 838255

• Chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat

Over the past four years, VA responders have answered more than 39,000 texts, engaged in more than 240,000 chats, and answered more than 1.86 million calls.

Additionally, veterans and family members can visit VA's Veteran Crisis Line at www.veteranscrisisline.net for suicide prevention resources, including gun safety material. We are finding that gun safety is becoming more important. Gun safety locks are available through the VA to any veteran who wants one, no questions asked. A veteran can visit their local VA and ask for one; it's usually provided by the suicide prevention coordinator.

Q: How is VA raising awareness about suicide prevention in September?

A: Our awareness campaign “The Power of 1” is building off of last year’s success. The idea is to think about one small act that can really make a difference in a veteran's life. Through The Power of 1 campaign, people can create and share a message of hope using our graphic generator, show support on social media, and download other Power of 1 materials. Our public service announcement "1 Act," which is part of The Power of 1 campaign, talks about how one person’s simple act can have a profound impact on a veteran's life. (Watch the "1 Act" PSA here.)

And on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. EST, the VA will conduct a suicide prevention Q&A on its Facebook page.

Q: How can Legionnaires support VA’s suicide prevention efforts?

A: American Legion posts, service officers, and members can connect with their local suicide prevention coordinators for materials, training in suicide prevention, and to learn about outreach events. All of our suicide prevention coordinators will be conducting suicide prevention events so there is an opportunity for Legion members and service officers to connect and see how they can get involved. Those levels of collaboration are huge success stories because we can’t do it alone at the VA, and you can’t do it alone either.

For additional suicide prevention resources, visit www.legion.org/suicideprevention.