The month of September is
set aside for Suicide Prevention Awareness. When talking about suicide, there
isn’t really a “right thing to say.” The most important thing is that we have
conversations to raise awareness about it. The National Resource Directory (NRD) connects wounded
warriors, Service Members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs
and services that support them. The NRD has over 250 searchable suicide
prevention resources via their website. We’ve highlighted 5 of those resources below.
- Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) Department of Defense (DoD) integrates a
holistic approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention using a
range of medical and non-medical resources. Grounded in a collaborative
approach, DSPO works with the Military Services and other Governmental
Agencies, Non-Governmental Agencies, non-profit organizations, and the
community to reduce the risk for suicide.
- U.S.
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Suicide Prevention offers suicide prevention information to help Veterans
find local mental health and suicide prevention resources, connect family and
friends to care and resources for coping with a suicide loss, and other
resources for community members and providers. The VA works with an extensive
network of community partners across the country, including faith communities,
employers, schools and health care organizations, to prevent suicide among all
Veterans including those who may never come to VA for care.
- National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local
crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people
in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention
by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices and building
awareness.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) provides consultation, training, and resources to enhance
suicide prevention efforts in states, colleges and universities, health
systems, and other settings and organizations that serve suicide at-risk
populations. The SPRC is a federally supported resource center advancing a
national strategy for suicide prevention.
- Helpline Center offers support and hope by connecting individuals with
thoughts of suicide to resources and local agency volunteers through the 211
helpline. The Helpline Center is a blended call center, meaning that all staff
are cross trained to handle crisis and information/referral phone calls.
If you or someone you know are experiencing extreme
stress or having suicidal thoughts, reach out for help. Remember, you are not
alone.
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