Preventing suicide in military families
If a friend tells you they are thinking about killing themselves, take it seriously. If you're looking for additional resources, our general resources are also available.
Be smart about mental health
Depression, PTSD, Bipolar, substance use disorder: these and other mental health conditions are serious illnesses, and serious illnesses that warrant support and treatment. No combat experience necessary: more than half of military suicides involve soldiers who have never been deployed.
If you think you may be depressed, talk to a mental health professional — the sooner you treat the illness, the faster you’ll recover. If you are worried about someone, assume you are the only one who will reach out, and encourage them to get treatment.
Someone considering suicide is experiencing a life-threatening health crisis and may not believe they can be helped. Work with them to address their access to lethal means, such as firearms or drugs and help them secure them or store off-site. Stay with them and call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
Be sure to follow up with them after the crisis to see how they’re doing. Find more information about how to help someone in need.
Stories
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Preventing Suicide Among Our Veterans
Being supportive of a Veteran who's experiencing a mental illness or just anyone in general, starts by listening and letting them know that what they're experiencing is real and that you're there to help. And even if you don't have the words to say, that's okay too. Just giving them the space to talk.
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Remembering Our Post-War Casualties
On Memorial Day, we remember those who served our country and died in combat. But what about the veterans who die by suicide after the war? Many of our troops fight a different battle, waged within their own minds, upon returning home.
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Working Toward a Common Goal: Preventing Firearm Suicides in Veterans
United States Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than Americans who never served in the military.
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Preventing Veteran Suicide Is Everyone’s Business
Suicide prevention is about more than just improving access to mental health care. That’s why we’re working with AFSP and other suicide prevention leaders to empower people in our communities nationwide — the people who interact with veterans every day — to take action and provide support.
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Supporting Our Veterans
Supporting Veteran and Service member suicide prevention is one of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s top public policy priorities.
Warning signs of mental health need
- Cleaning a souvenir weapon
- Visiting graveyards
- Obsession with news coverage of the war, or the military channel
- Wearing uniform off duty
- Being overprotective of children
- Standing guard of the house, obsessively locking doors and windows
- Stopping or hoarding medication
- Hoarding alcohol
- Defensive speech: “You wouldn’t understand”
- Avoiding eye contact
Suicide warning signs
Talk
If a person talks about:
- Killing themselves
- Feeling hopeless
- Having no reason to live
- Being a burden to others
- Feeling trapped
- Unbearable pain
Mood
People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of interest
- Irritability
- Humiliation
- Agitation
- Rage
Behavior
Behaviors that may signal risk, especially if related to a painful event, loss, or change.
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means
- Withdrawing from activities
- Isolating from family and friends
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
- Giving away prized possessions
- Aggression
- Fatigue
Military suicide prevention resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Veterans Crisis Line
Call or text 988. Press 1
Chat at 988lifeline.org
Cohen’s Veterans Network (clinics serving Veterans across the country)
https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/
Vets 4 Warriors
855-838-8255
vets4warriors.com
Office of Warrior Care Policy
warriorcare.dodlive.mil
Military One Source
1-800-342-9647
militaryonesource.mil
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors [TAPS]
1-800-959-8277
taps.org
Veterans Administration (VA) resources
mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention
VA's Caregiver Support Line (CSL)
1-855-260-3274
For additional resources, visit our Veterans Resources page.