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Veterans Leading the Way

REACH is about changing the culture surrounding mental health in general and suicide specifically, encouraging Veterans – and all Americans – to be open to talking about and addressing these human challenges. We know that our Veterans are willing and able to lead the way for this change. By empowering Veterans with the resources and support they deserve, we can accomplish our collective goal to end the national tragedy of suicide.

Use the helpful resources on this page to learn more about how you can REACH, both as a Veteran and for Veterans. When we REACH to Veterans in need, we can provide hope. When we REACH because we are hurting, we help ourselves by finding support. When we REACH, we will prevent suicide.

REACH Toolkit for Veterans

Veterans know what it means to lead the way, but it doesn’t mean they have to go it alone. Download this toolkit to learn more about the importance of changing the culture around mental health and suicide within the Veteran community, as well as resources and other way to get involved in the REACH campaign. Together, we will prevent suicide.

Download the Toolkit

Take a Moment to REACH

Resources for Veterans

This list is composed of resources, fact sheets, and guidelines for individuals in-crisis, specifically designed to assist Veterans, female Veterans, and Veterans’ families. Please use and share with your networks.

In Crisis

In Crisis

Federal Resources

    Suicide Prevention & Support

    Suicide Prevention & Support

    Federal Resources

    • Veterans Affairs: Suicide Prevention Resources for Veterans

      Resources for Veterans compiled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. No matter what you are experiencing, suicide is preventable, and there are proven resources and effective treatments for overcoming suicidal thoughts.

    • Department of Defense (DoD) - Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO)

      The mission of DoD is to provide a lethal Joint Force to defend U.S. security and sustain American influence abroad. DoD is charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the U.S. Armed Forces.

      The DSPO advances holistic, data-driven suicide prevention in our military community through policy, oversight, and engagement to positively impact individual beliefs and behaviors, as well as instill systemic culture change.

    • InTransition

      A free, confidential program offering specialized coaching assistance to Service members and Veterans who need access to mental health care in periods of transition.

    • Vet Centers

      Vet Centers across the country provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to combat Veterans and their families. Services for Veterans include individual and group counseling in areas such as PTSD, alcohol, and drug assessment, and suicide prevention referrals. All services are free and confidential.

    • Vet Center Call Center (1-877-WAR-VETS)

      tel:1-877-927-8387

      The Vet Center Call Center is an around-the-clock, confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.

    • Veterans Self-Check Quiz

      VA and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline joined with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to create the Veterans Self-Check Quiz. The 10-minute quiz is a safe, easy way to learn whether stress and depression might be affecting you. Using this service is completely voluntary and confidential.

    Non-Federal Resources

    • Suicidology.org: Crisis Centers

      A list of local suicide crisis locations that the National Suicide Crisis line will connect callers to. All of these locations are Accredited crisis centers by the American Association of Suicidology.

    • Suicidology.org: Telling Your Own Story

      Best Practices for Presentations by Suicide Loss and Suicide Attempt Survivors.

    • Wounded Warrior Project

      WWP have a number of programs that help Veterans get access to help deal with mental health and physical ailments.

    Mental Health & Wellness

    Mental Health & Wellness

    Federal Resources

    • Veterans Affairs Mental Health

      Veterans Affairs has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public.

    • Make The Connection

      Watch stories from Veterans like you that have experienced a range of life events, opportunities, and challenges after they leave the military.

    • Veteran Training

      The Veteran Online Self-Help Portal provides tools for overcoming everyday challenges. The tools help Veterans work on problem-solving skills, manage anger, develop parenting skills, and more.

    • About Face

      About Face videos feature the real stories of Veterans who have experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with additional perspectives from their family members and Veterans Affairs clinicians.

    • Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD

      This Fact sheet connects people to PTSD programs within the VA and explains where/how Veterans can receive PTSD care.

    • SAMHSA

      The US Department of Health & Human Services provides an online locator for anyone seeking immediate help regarding behavioral health and mental illness. Type in your address, city, or zip code to locate treatment facilities for behavioral health and behavioral health emergencies.

    • Veterans Affairs: Suicide Among Women Veterans Fact Sheet

      Risk Factors Associated With Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being.

    • National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

      Free help for homeless Veterans. Open to Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and family members or friends calling on behalf of Veterans.

    • Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Fact Sheet

      A Guide for Military and Veteran Families. This page details warning signs and guides how to identify someone who is at risk for suicide.

    • Department of Defense (DoD) - Military OneSource

      The mission of DoD is to provide a lethal Joint Force to defend U.S. security and sustain American influence abroad. DoD is charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the U.S. Armed Forces.

      Military OneSource provides 24/7 connection to information, answers and support to help service members, Department of Defense expeditionary civilians, their families and survivors.

    • National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Help for Mental Illness

      NIH is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting biomedical, medical, and public health research.

      NIMH has resources to help cope with mental illness as well as tips about how to reach out to those that may be struggling.

    • Veterans Affairs: Reducing Firearm & Other Household Safety Risks for Veterans and Their Families

      This brochure provides best practices for safely storing firearms and medications along with advice for loved ones on how to talk to the Veteran in their life about safe storage:

    • Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resource Toolkit

      This toolkit connects former members of the Guard and Reserves, their families, and their providers with mental health and suicide prevention resources available through VA and in the community.

    Non-Federal Resources

    • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

      1-800-950-NAMI (6264) | Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST or info@nami.org

      NAMI is a grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for Americans affected by mental illness. The NAMI HelpLine is available eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, to answer questions, offer support and provide practical next steps.

    • Dole Foundation / Hidden Heroes

      This online caregivers network contains links to resources and crisis support for people that provide care for Veterans and Service members. Resources are broken down specifically to fit the needs of caregivers, such as the era of service, military branch, and languages spoken, among many others.