In observance of Suicide Prevention Month, the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) is bringing awareness to its #BeThere campaign by encouraging community leaders, colleagues, and Veterans' families and friends to help prevent suicide by showing support for those who may be going through a difficult time.
Suicide is a complex national public health issue that affects communities nationwide, with more than 45,000 Americans, including more than 6,000 Veterans, dying by suicide every year. But suicide is preventable. VA is using a community-driven approach to prevent suicide and finding innovative ways to deliver support and care to all 20 million U.S. Veterans whenever and wherever they need it
"TVHS is working to end Veteran suicide, but we know that only about a third of Veterans come to VA for health care," said TVHS Health System Director, Jennifer Vedral-Baron. "That's why we need everyone in the community to get involved. This September, and all year, I encourage everyone to take a moment to be there for Veterans in need. One act of thoughtfulness can make a big difference and may even save a life."
You don't need special training to prevent suicide. Everyone can play a role by learning to recognize warning signs, showing compassion and care to Veterans in need, and offering support. Here are some actions anyone can take to Be There:
• Reach out to the Veterans in your life to show them you care. Send a check-in text, cook them dinner, or simply ask, "How are you?"
• Educate yourself on the warning signs of suicide, found on the Veterans Crisis Line website.
• Watch the free S.A.V.E. training video to equip yourself to respond with care and compassion if someone you know indicates they are having thoughts of suicide.
• Check out VA's Social Media Safety Toolkit to learn how to recognize and respond to social media posts that may indicate emotional distress, feelings of crisis or thoughts of suicide.
• Contact VA's Coaching Into Care program if you are worried about a Veteran loved one. A licensed psychologist or social worker will provide guidance on motivating your loved one to seek support.
TVHS plans to bring the #BeThere campaign into the community this month. A few examples of the many engagements planned include the 9/11 resource event at Middle Tennessee State University's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center September 11 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., the #BeThere Awareness Walk at the Bowling Green VA Clinic September 16 at 12:30 p.m., and a live radio presentation on WGNS Radio September 20 at 8:00 a.m.
Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Reporters covering this issue can download VA's Safe Messaging Best Practices or visit www.ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.
TVHS is an integrated tertiary health care system comprised of two hospitals, the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro and the Nashville Campus, as well as more than a dozen community-based outpatient clinics located in Tennessee and Kentucky. TVHS provides ambulatory care, primary care, and secondary care in acute medicine and surgery, specialized tertiary care, transplant services, spinal cord injury outpatient care, and a full range of extended care and mental health services.
