Guests: Suicide prevention among veterans remains a health care priority

Sunaina Kumar-Giebel and Wade Vlosich
·2 min read
Reach out to a veteran and help them connect with available resources that might be needed.
Reach out to a veteran and help them connect with available resources that might be needed.

Suicide prevention among veterans remains a public health priority, but the fact is: Suicide is preventable. Veterans need not suffer silently or alone. There is confidential help 24/7 for veterans in crisis as well as for family members who seek support for their loved ones.

Although statistically fewer veterans are taking their lives each day compared to 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to eliminating that statistic. The VA encourages veterans and concerned loved ones to connect with available resources to help prevent another life lost.

Earlier this year, in a move to save more Veterans’ lives, the VA began the Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act. Under this initiative, eligible veterans experiencing an acute suicidal crisis can immediately present to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost.

Here’s how we can help our veteran community:

  1. Reach out to a veteran: Call or text to check on a friend or loved one. Simply asking: "How's everything going? I'm here for you if you want to talk or need help finding support."

  2. Hear veteran stories: Everyone needs help sometimes. More than 600 veterans and family members have shared powerful stories of finding support and overcoming challenges. View their videos at: MakeTheConnection.net.

  3. Educate yourself: Learn how to spot warning signs of an emotional or mental health crisis, support a veteran at risk for suicide or identify mental health and suicide prevention resources.

  4. Locate resources: Visit Reach.gov/SPM to find support near you. Just enter a zip code for a range of acute care and outpatient services.

  5. Spread the word: You can make a difference. Simply forward this article/column to a colleague to help raise awareness.

VA behavioral health providers and suicide prevention care coordinators offer the support you need in a crisis. These responders work with providers and community organizations to assist veterans who are experiencing emotional or mental health challenges. Please, connect with them to get ongoing support, counseling and other services. Weekdays, during normal business hours, please contact: Alisha Fry, 405-456-1149, or oklsuicidepreventionteam@va.gov.

National crisis resources are also available 24/7. The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that connects any veteran or their loved ones to a live person, specially trained, to support veterans. Call 988 and select 1, or send a text to 838255. A confidential chat also may be started at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/. If hearing-impaired, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

Someone in crisis also can call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If enrolled in VA health care, they may go directly to the nearest VA medical center.Life certainly has its challenges, but it can be better if we work together and support each other.

Sunaina Kumar-Giebel
Sunaina Kumar-Giebel
Wade Vlosich
Wade Vlosich

Sunaina Kumar-Giebel is director of VA Rocky Mountain Network (Veterans Integrated Service Network 19); and Wade Vlosich is director of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How to help veterans in crisis in oklahoma