VETERANS HOTLINE - (800)273-TALK

SUICIDE CRISIS HOTLINE FOR VETERANS:

To ensure veterans with mental health crises have immediate access to trained coordinators, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established a 24-hour national suicide prevention hot line. Veterans in crisis can call 1-800-273-TALK, press option #1, and be linked to a crisis intervention professional. The hot line will be based at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in New York State and will be staffed by mental health professionals. Hotline staff will provide immediate help and will link callers to mental health services, including suicide prevention coordinators located at every VA medical center.

VETERANS ONLINE CHAT:

"Chat" live online with a crisis counselor. The online chat service is available 24/7. Click here and then click on the "Veterans Chat" link.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT VA MEDICAL BENEFITS:

Veterans who are not in crisis, but who have questions about medical benefits or who need information about their closest VA medical facility should call (877) 222-8387 or search the VA’s Facility Locator.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT VA BENEFITS OR TO FILE A CLAIM:

Veterans with questions about benefits or claims information can call (800)827-1000 and be routed to their nearest VA Regional Office, or search the VA’s Facility Locator.

------------------------------------------

SOURCE: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1352; http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/

PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED:April2012