{"id":7951,"date":"2025-01-18T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7951"},"modified":"2025-01-18T21:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T21:30:00","slug":"preventing-and-managing-a-suicide-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7951","title":{"rendered":"Preventing and managing a suicide crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-01-18T21:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

A new year is a good time to reflect and set goals. It\u2019s a time to think about what\u2019s important in our lives, to take stock, to think about our accomplishments from the previous year and prepare for challenges. For those Veterans who experience thoughts of suicide, taking steps to ensure access to support is readily available is critical to preventing or managing a crisis.<\/p>\n

Knowing what to do before a suicide crisis happens increases the chance that you or a Veteran you know will get through it safely. Here are some resources that can help you prepare.<\/p>\n

Save the Veterans Crisis Line number<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line<\/a> to receive 24\/7, confidential support from real responders. You don\u2019t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.<\/p>\n

To reach this support, Dial 988 then Press 1<\/a>, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net\/Chat, or text 838255<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Take VA S.A.V.E. training<\/h2>\n

VA S.A.V.E. training is a free, brief online or in-person course that will help you act with care and compassion if you come across a Veteran who is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide. The acronym S.A.V.E. can help you remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention:<\/p>\n

S: Know the signs that indicate a Veteran might be thinking about suicide
A: Ask the most important question of all\u2014\u201cAre you thinking of killing yourself?\u201d
V: Validate the Veteran\u2019s experience
E: Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help<\/p>\n

You can take VA S.A.V.E. training online<\/a> or you can contact your local suicide prevention coordinator<\/a> (SPC) to schedule in-person training.<\/p>\n

Create a safety plan<\/h2>\n

A critical part of preventing a crisis is being ready before one happens, and a safety plan centers around preparation. It\u2019s important to develop a safety plan when you\u2019re not in distress so you have time to complete the steps and avoid distractions.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re ready to work on your plan, the VA Safety Plan app<\/a> will help you create a custom step-by-step guide to stay safe when experiencing thoughts of suicide. The app helps you identify personal coping strategies and sources of support, allowing for thoughts of suicide to decrease over time and become more manageable.<\/p>\n

Read the latest data<\/h2>\n

We recently released the 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report<\/a>, which includes detailed information about Veteran suicide from 2001 through 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. We use this report to inform our suicide prevention programs and initiatives.<\/p>\n

The report provides critical insights and it highlights actionable steps individuals can take to make a difference. It also provides takeaways about available resources for Veterans, the importance of secure firearm storage, and ways to foster connection and involvement within your community.<\/p>\n

Visit the web page<\/a> dedicated to Veteran suicide prevention to explore the report and discover available resources to help support Veterans today. You don\u2019t need special training or expertise to make a meaningful impact.<\/p>\n

Learn about secure firearm storage<\/h2>\n

Because many crises can be brief and fleeting, securely storing your firearms can serve as a vital safeguard, creating time and space between someone with thoughts of suicide and a lethal method. VA\u2019s Keep It Secure program<\/a> promotes awareness about simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Making sure your firearms are unloaded and locked when not in use can help prevent firearm injuries. Ammunition should be stored in a different location.<\/p>\n

There are several effective ways to securely store your firearms:<\/p>\n