For Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
Blue Star Families has developed a series of PSAs for active-duty military personnel and their families. View the entire series on BSF’s YouTube channel.
In recent years, Veteran mental health issues and the problem of Veteran suicide have come to the forefront of the public consciousness. TSPN is working with Veteran’s Administration centers across the state to address suicide prevention among Veterans, service personnel, and their families.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline supports the Veterans Crisis Line, which connects Veterans in emotional crisis with free 24/7 access to trained counselors (some of whom are former military personnel). Dial "988" on your phone and press "1" at the prompt. Alternatively, you may text 838255, or chat with a counselor online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net.
Additionally, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has a dedicated page on its website with recommendations for Veterans in crisis and links to Veteran-supporting agencies such as Military One Source, the VA Caregiver Support Program, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
~~~
According to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, nearly 70% of Veteran suicides involve firearms. Hence, TSPN actively promotes Lethal Means Safety Training by VHA Train. This free, online self-paced course for healthcare providers demonstrates how to
discuss means safety with Veterans who are at an elevated suicide risk, along with their families.
Tool Kit
TSPN’s Veterans Suicide Prevention Task Force developed a toolkit of resources for loved ones, community members, and care providers in the lives of Veterans.
About the Task Force
Created and approved by the TSPN Advisory Council on June 8, 2017, the Veterans Suicide Prevention Task Force worked with the Tennessee Department of Veteran Services to unite Veteran-serving organizations throughout Tennessee toward the goal of suicide prevention.
The Task Force met with agencies serving the Veteran population to meet the unique suicide prevention/intervention/postvention needs of Veterans, service members, and their families and create cohesive, safe spaces for this population throughout Tennessee.
The task force sunset and became a permanent committee chaired by the Assistant Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services.
Tennessee Governor’s Challenge for Suicide Prevention
The Tennessee Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families is participating with 35 other states who are taking part in working to develop and implement state-wide suicide prevention best practices for SMVF, using a public health approach. The Tennessee Governor’s Challenge is in stage four right now of the process and hopes to implement the priority areas that are listed below across the state at the end of 2021.
- Identify SMVF and Screen for Suicide Risk
- Promote Connectedness and Improve Care Transitions
- Increase Lethal Means Safety and Safety Planning
The Process:
Additional Resources
The VA website can help you find local Veteran resources and manage your Veteran benefits. The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services features a directory of State Veteran Services Offices.
Mental Health America offers a variety of online screening tools that can help you determine if you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The Lifeline is a free 24/7, confidential, short-term crisis counseling line for those experiencing distress. It is a myth that 988 is only for suicidal individuals; it is available to everyone. Call, text, or chat 988 if you are overwhelmed, stressed, and need to talk with a trained counselor.
This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.