Suicide is a serious national public health problem that affects communities everywhere. At the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), preventing suicide among all Veterans is a top priority. Best practices for suicide prevention are being utilized within the VA system to identify and intervene with those Veterans at risk for suicide. However, the VA is aware that there are Veterans who do not, and may never, seek care within our system. The following are resources available to Community Members and Clinicians who work with Veterans outside of the VA system.
Resources for Community Members
S.A.V.E. Gatekeeper Training is an online suicide prevention training video developed in collaboration with PsychArmor Institute that offers simple steps that anyone can take when talking with Veterans who are at risk for suicide.
Safe Firearm Storage in Your Community Toolkit was co-developed by VA, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), includes tips for safely storing firearms as well as best practices for sharing these guidelines in your community.
Safe Reporting on Suicide provides guidance on how to communicate about suicide in a safe and ethical manner, correct misconceptions, convey hope and encourage help-seeking behaviors among those at risk for suicide. Information was adapted from reportingonsuicide.org
Clinician Tools
Means Safety Messaging pocket card provides a framework for clinicians on how to talk with Veteran patients about safe firearm and medication storage as well as options for safe storage.
Use the Community Provider Toolkit to support the behavioral health and wellness of Veterans receiving services outside the VA health care system.
If you are a Veteran in crisis or are concerned about one, please contact the Veteran’s Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1 for Veterans.
For questions, Veteran’s Crisis Line materials (cards, magnets, pens, etc.), or for other non-urgent matters, please contact:
