The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, 24/7, confidential and secure resource to receive support for Veterans, their families, friends, and caregivers. It can help even if you are not enrolled in VA benefits or health care. The Veterans Crisis Line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, active-duty service members and the loved ones who support them.
When to call the Veterans Crisis Line
You are not alone if you are going through a crisis. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, having suicidal ideations, or becoming self-destructive, reach out to the Crisis Line immediately. Most Veterans who consider suicide have problems they think they can never overcome. They think that there is no one who can help them, and that suicide is the only way out. If you or if you know a Veteran that is having thoughts and feelings like:
- Helplessness: like there is nothing you can do to make things better
- Hopelessness: thinking your problem cannot be solved by anyone, including yourself
- Worthlessness: thinking you are unable to help yourself or feeling like a failure
- Hateful towards yourself
- That you are a burden to others
- Like the pain of living is too much to bear
- Experiencing anxiety or agitation
- Increasing risky behavior or substance use
*IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE, CALL 988 THEN PRESS 1*
There are several challenges in life that can develop into a crisis. The loss of a job. The end of a relationship. The loss of a home. Feeling like your life has no purpose. The Veterans Crisis Line has an anonymous online self-check assessment to see if stress and or depression may be affecting you.
If you or someone you are concerned about needs assistance, you can call the following numbers to reach a caring, highly qualified VA responder. The responder will ask a few questions, such as if you or the Veteran or Service Member you are concerned about are in immediate danger or at risk for suicide. Support does not end after the call. Responders will connect you with the resources you need. You may be connected with your local suicide prevention coordinator (SPC), who will contact you the next business day for continued support. SPC’s are available in each VA medical center across the country. No matter what you are experiencing, the VA has the resources and support systems to help you get your life back on track.
- Dial 988 then press 1
- Anyone hard of hearing can use online chat net/Chat and text message (838255) you will receive a text back that reads: “VA Crisis Center: I’m here to help. If in danger, call 911. For more info, call 800-273-8255. (Press 1). Please keep messages under 160 characters. STOP to cancel.”
- For TTY users: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
- If you are calling from Overseas:
- Europe: +1 844-702-5495 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)
- Southwest Asia: +1 855-422-7719 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)
- Pacific: +1 844-702-5493 (off base) or DSN (on base)
*Each of these numbers is assigned to a different U.S. Department of Defense Area of Responsibility. If you have trouble reaching the Veterans Crisis Line with the assigned number for the region you are calling from, try one of the other numbers. (see the Military Crisis Line page for more details about overseas calling)
The Veterans Crisis Line was launched in 2007, with 14 trained responders working out of a call center in Canandaigua, NY. It has increased to over 500 responders in three different call center locations. Many of the responders are Veterans themselves, so they are familiar with the challenges Veterans face. As of April 2024, the Veterans Crisis Line has received:
- More than 7.7 million calls
- More than 377,000 texts
- More than 941,000 chats
- More than 1.5 million referrals to VA suicide prevention coordinators (SPC)
- More than 325,000 dispatches of emergency services
The Veterans Crisis Line believes that support should be available after the initial contact in the forms of:
- Caring letters: This program was launched in 2020 and focuses on mailing letters to the Veteran during the year after the initial call to the Crisis Line. This initiative has been found to reduce the rate of suicide deaths, attempts, suicidal ideations, and provides an opportunity to help save Veteran lives after the initial call.
- Peer Support Outreach Call Center: This center opened in 2021 and is staffed by trained Veterans who proactively reach out to Veterans Crisis Line callers who may benefit from additional intervention. Studies have shown that Veterans who have peer mentors are much more likely to keep their VA appointments, meet other important health benchmarks, and access additional treatment methods. Veteran peer mentors can also provide a sense of empowerment and guidance on self-help.
Veteran Support on the
Veterans Crisis Line
You will also find resources and programs available to you on the Crisis Line.
- Make the Connection: you will find stories from Veterans and family members that you may relate to.
- Mental Health America: founded in 1909, Mental Health America is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and condition prevention.
- Give an Hour: free mental health services for Veterans, service members, and their loved ones.
- VA Mental Health: mental health, suicide prevention resources, information, and data material.
- VA Suicide Prevention: suicide prevention resources the VA has to offer, including self-help resources and support for those coping with the loss caused by suicide, and more.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: a United States-based suicide prevention network with over 160 crisis centers that provide 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 988.
- Support for Homeless Veterans: Veterans who are homeless or at risk, can call the Crisis Line and get free, confidential support through the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. Call or chat online 24/7 and talk to a trained counselor.
Please remember that every life matters greatly! There are several resources to help you get your life back on track and live a long and satisfying life.