Mental Health
Suicide Prevention
If you’re a Veteran in a mental health crisis and you’re thinking about hurting yourself—or you know a Veteran who’s considering this—act now. You’re not alone, and you can get help.
How do I talk to someone right now?
Find out how to get support any time day or night.
Whatever you’re struggling with—chronic pain, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, anger, or even homelessness—we can support you. Our Veterans Crisis Line is confidential (private), free, and available 24/7.
To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder any time day or night:
Call 1-800-273-8255, then press 1.
Text 838255.
You can also:
Call 911.
Go to the nearest emergency room.
Where can I turn for ongoing support?
You can find ongoing support through VA to help you get your life back on track:
Our specially trained Suicide Prevention Coordinators—available in each VA medical center across the country—can help you get the counseling and services you need.
Our Vet Centers can help you—and your family—readjust to life at home after you’ve returned from serving in a combat zone.
Our Veterans Benefits Administration offices can help you access benefits for disability compensation (monthly payments), job training, home loans, and more.
You can also find information and support on our websites:
Get information about suicide prevention and the support we offer. Visit our suicide prevention website.
Go to our Make the Connection website to get resources and watch stories of Veterans who’ve overcome depression and other mental health challenges. Visit Make the Connection.
What are the signs that someone may be considering suicide?
Many Veterans don’t show any signs of an urge to harm themselves before doing so. But some may show signs of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or hopelessness, like:
Seeming sad, depressed, anxious, or agitated most of the time
Sleeping either all the time or not much at all
Not caring about what they look like or what happens to them
Pulling away from friends, family, and society
Losing interest in hobbies, work, school, or other things they used to care about
Expressing feelings of excessive guilt or shame, failure, lack of purpose in life, or being trapped
They may also change the way they act, and start to:
Perform poorly at work or school
Act violently or take risks (like driving fast or running red lights)
Do things to prepare for a suicide (like giving away special personal items, making a will, or seeking access to guns or pills)
Learn about common suicide myths and realities, Veteran-specific suicide risks, and warning signs. Recognize when to ask for help.
I want to help a Veteran adjust to life at home, but I don’t know how. Can I get support?
Yes. If you’re a family member or friend of a Veteran who’s having trouble adjusting to life at home, we can help. Through our national Coaching Into Care program, our licensed psychologists and social workers will talk with you by phone, free of charge, to help you find your way around the VA system and figure out the best way to help the Veteran you care about. All calls are confidential (private).
To speak with a VA coach, call 1-888-823-7458, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET).
To get tips and resources for spouses, parents, and Veterans, visit the Coaching Into Care website. Visit Coaching into Care.
How do I talk to my child about a suicide attempt in the family?
Get tips for talking to children of different ages about suicide:
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Last updated: June 28, 2017