REACH OUT: Connecting Veterans to Support, Care & Counseling
The military suicide rate is 50% higher than the national average.
In 2012, twenty-two veterans succumbed to suicide daily.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is working to empower Veterans to connect with resources. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with the challenge of transitioning to civilian life, accessing benefits, or seeking help for mental health issues, support is available.
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.