Many people are affected by the tragedy of suicide, but by paying attention to those around us and seeking help, when necessary, we can come together to support and protect service members, veterans and their families.
Check in on your friends and neighbors.
Connecting with someone can remind them that they matter, that there is hope, that they are not alone, and can significantly impact suicide prevention.
For tips on making a connection, take the JS-US006 Joint Staff Suicide Awareness and Prevention course. This one-hour ATRRS DL (Army Training Resources and Requirements System Distributed Learning) points course educates civilians and military personnel about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide so they can identify potential problems in themselves, their coworkers (whether civilian or military), and family members.
If you, or someone you know is in crisis, contact a mental health professional or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, the Veteran’s crisis line at 1-800-273-8255, or if the situation is severe, head to the closest ER or call for help.