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VA offers suicide prevention

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun operation of a 24-hour suicide prevention hotline for veterans. 

The toll-free hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is a national hotline manned by trained mental-health professionals with a new option to direct veterans to their local VA mental health provider. 

There are 120 active hotline centers in the network. 

"Veterans need to know these VA professionals are literally a phone call away," said Jim Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "All service members who experience the stresses of combat can have wounds on their minds as well as their bodies. Veterans should see mental health services as another benefit they have earned, which the men and women of VA are honored to provide." 

Veterans calling from the Shaw area will reach Trident United Way in Charleston, S.C., or CRISISline Mental Health America of Greenville County in Greenville, S.C. 

"Anyone can call the national hotline," said Cynthia Evans, 20th Fighter Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "Even if you need to call for someone you're concerned about." 

The national hotline offers direct assistance to anyone who calls, information and tips on how to help someone who is suicidal or in a crisis, as well as mental health information. 

For more information, visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/default.aspx.