Resources for Suicide Prevention

  1. Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans & Families http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/MHG_English.pdf
  2. Coaching into Care is a free and confidential coaching service to help callers discover new ways to talk with their Veteran about their concerns and about treatment options. (888) 823-7458 http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/services.asp
  3. 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. http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/ResourceGuideFamilyMembers.pdf
  4. 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. This series has been updated January 2013 and now includes Spanish versions.
    1. Talking to Your 4-8 Year old http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/howtotalkto4to8.asp
    2. Talking to Your 9-13 Year old http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/howtotalkto9to13.asp
    3. Talking to Your 14-18 Year old http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/howtotalkto14to18.asp
  5. National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Established to improve access to care, treatment, and service for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Their Military Family Resource Area and Knowledge Bank provides access to information for military family members, mental health and medical providers, educators and others on the stressors facing military families and children. It provides effective options for coping and intervention. http://nctsn.org/resources/topics/military-children-and-families
  6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) http://www.samhsa.gov/MilitaryFamilies/