C.I.R.
CAMRADERIE ISOLATION REVERSAL
Meaning of Camraderie:
“Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.”
Find a Resource | Help Someone Cope | Be a Survivor
WE CARE – HERE’S WHY
We Can All Prevent Suicide
Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.
Take ACTION
Crisis HELP
Immediate counseling and support during critical times.
There is HOPE
Start the conversation; Provide support; Get help for those who need it.
We Can All Prevent Suicide
Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.
Take ACTION
Crisis HELP
Immediate counseling and support during critical times.
There is HOPE
Start the conversation; Provide support; Get help for those who need it.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Some warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these, seek help by calling the Lifeline.
Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun.
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
Talking about being a burden to others.
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
Extreme mood swings.
Know The Risk Factors
- Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders
- Alcohol and other substance use disorders
- Hopelessness
- Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
- History of trauma or abuse
- Major physical illnesses
- Previous suicide attempt(s)
- Family history of suicide
- Job or financial loss
- Loss of relationship(s)
- Easy access to lethal means
- Local clusters of suicide
- Lack of social support and sense of isolation
- Stigma associated with asking for help
- Lack of healthcare, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
- Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
- Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)
“Intervention is a force multiplier”
Because it brings multiple forces into play that have the potential to change a Veteran’s morale to stand down from taking his or her life. Typically, intervention also provides training through information, which can reestablish one’s optimism and ethos (life values) and the value of life itself…
CONNECT–TO–PROTECT
Let’s Come Together to Prevent Suicide
The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to preventing suicide among Service members, veterans, and their families. Suicide prevention is a DoD priority throughout the year. Still, September — Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) — is a time when the Department brings added attention to the complex issue of suicide and emphasizes the valuable resources and support available year-round. This year, the DoD’s SPM theme, connectedness, highlights the critical role relationships and interpersonal connections to family, friends, the community, and resources can play in preventing suicide.
2021 Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) Outreach Toolkit
In support of the Department of Defense (DoD) SPM observance, the Defense Suicide Prevention Office created the 2021 SPM Outreach Toolkit that offers materials and suggestions to help you execute your outreach initiatives throughout the year.
ON-DEMAND Resources for Veterans, Military, Friends, Family.
Anyone With An Immediate Need
Anyone could be struggling with suicide – Find specific resources below.
Veterans
For veterans, crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service. If you’re a veteran or service member and in crisis, these resources can help.
Youth
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. Sometimes your struggle can be underestimated because of your age.
Native Americans
Depression and suicide affect people of all ages and populations, but Native American and Alaskan Native populations can be at a higher risk.
LGBTQ+
The LGBTQ+ community is diverse and strong, but may be disproportionately at-risk for suicidal feelings and other mental health struggles.
Attempt Survivors
Coping with the deep hurt after surviving a suicide attempt and finding hope is possible. The Lifeline is available for support, 24/7.
Loss Survivors
If you have lost a loved one to suicide, you are not alone. There are resources available to help survivors of suicide loss cope.
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Loss
Our network of crisis centers offers many services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, including veterans.
Coping During Community Unrest
Emotional Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Vet Centers Readjustment Counseling
Civilian Life – Readjustment Counseling
1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life.
Veteran and Community Support Organizations
One Network for a Life of Service
Rally Point Digital Platform
RallyPoint connects members and provides tools to succeed along their entire lifetime journey – from recruit through retirement and beyond. Members build peer to peer relationships across branches, generations, and conflicts forged by the common bond of service. Within the community, members can build their professional network, ask questions, share photos and stories, connect with members in a secure environment, and explore educational and career opportunities.
Redcross
Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
Join the Network Peers engaged to exchange experience, empathy, education and encouragement.
Giving Help, Giving Hope
Give An Hour
We believe that within our communities we have the resources to address many of the challenges that face our society. These challenges, such as trauma during military service, being a victim of crime, or living through a natural disaster, often result in emotional pain and suffering. Our aim is to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all persons.
National Hospice and Pallative Care
We Honor Veterans
We offer and aggregate resources that help teach respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment – to comfort patients with a history of military service and possibly physical or psychological trauma.
George W. Bush Institute
Get Care – Veteran Wellness Alliance
We believe that within our communities we have the resources to address many of the challenges that face our society. These challenges, such as trauma during military service, being a victim of crime, or living through a natural disaster, often result in emotional pain and suffering. Our aim is to improve the mental health and emotional wellbeing of all persons.
Join the Community
Hidden Heros
If you care for a wounded, ill, or injured veteran or service member, you may need support at some point along your caregiving journey. Whether you need comprehensive case management support, assistance with applying for benefits, or just a listening ear, Hidden Heroes is here to help.
Enriching Veterans’ Lives
Team Red, White, and Blue
Team RWB’s mission is to enrich veterans’ lives
Every year, more than 250,000 active duty service members transition out of the military, joining the 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans already living in communities nationwide. They face many challenges including isolation, weight gain, lack of purpose, and other health issues.
Team Red, White & Blue is the antidote to the isolation and health challenges they face. By forging America’s leading health and wellness community for veterans, service members, and their families, we strive to make tomorrow better. Together, we will find strength and success.
Inspiring Tomorrows Leaders
Student Veterans of America
Student Veterans of America (SVA) is the premier organization leading service, research, programs, and advocacy for veterans in higher education.
Our Vision: Empowering student veterans to lead and live their best lives.
Our Mission: Act as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support and advocacy to, through, and beyond higher education.
Disaster Response
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.
National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Alcohol Use Disorder: How to Help an Alcoholic Family Member
STEP 1 – SEARCH TRUSTED SOURCES TO FIND PROVIDERS
Pointing the way to evidence-based care®
To find science-backed treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), start here. Three types of professional providers are most likely to provide quality care: specialty programs, therapists, and doctors.
Suicide is a leading cause of death.
Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, but they do not die as a result of their actions.1
Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it. Suicide is connected to other forms of injury and violence. For example, people who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence have a higher suicide risk. Being connected to family and community support and having easy access to health care can decrease suicidal thoughts and behaviors.2
Subscribe to CDC Suicide Prevention Updates.
CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) has created a new email list for announcements related to suicide prevention, including news about CDC’s funded programs, new suicide data and reports, and other CDC suicide prevention activities. You may have been subscribed to a general Injury Center News and Announcements list, but it is now retired and replaced with this new “Suicide Prevention” list. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
THE AMERICAN LEGION BUDDY CHECK PROGRAM
A Toolkit to Offer Assistance, Camaraderie for Veterans and their Families
U.S. Military Veterans and Addiction
Military veterans are at a higher risk of developing addictions and other mental health issues than civilians.
Alabama Colleges, Universities, Technical Schools
Get an Alabama Education
Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is a federally funded TRIO program designed to help veterans develop and expand the essential skills required to successfully enroll in and complete an academic or technical college degree.
This program serves veterans in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Marshall, St. Clair and Talladega counties.
Program eligibility is not limited to veterans planning to attend Gadsden State.
We offer a range of free veteran services including assistance with educational benefits and academic preparation to enroll at the school of your choice. In addition, we also help veterans learn how to secure support from other available resources including the Veterans Administration and local agencies who specialize in serving the veteran community.
Veterans Organizations:
comprehensive List of veterans organizations
Alabama and Nationwide
Website and Call Links On-Demand.
WHATEVER YOU NEED – THERE IS SOMEONE WAITING TO SERVE YOU
211 Connects Alabama
dial 2.1.1. connecting Alabama
211 CONNECTS ALABAMA
- Are you facing difficult times and don’t know where to turn?
- Are you looking for help with everyday needs?
- Are you wanting to volunteer?
Resource Directory Powered by 211 Connects Alabama.
Alabama Veterans Affairs
CLICK TO BROWSE A V.A. RESOURCE IN ALABAMA
TREATMENT ENGAGEMENT NETWORK: T.E.N.
Have You Lost Someone With Pain to Suicide?
Transitioning off of opioids have shown a connection.
“Imagine a national debate after several airplanes have crashed, with no one ever having done a crash-site investigation. That’s where we are in relation to these deaths by suicide after prescription opioid medicines stop.”
There has been a wave of suicides that come after prescription opioid pain medicines are stopped. Dr. Stefan Kertesz co-authored a statistical analyses of these deaths, published in 2020 in British Medical Journal. After getting this information to the FDA – they issued a warning in 2019.
However, neither our scientific report nor the FDA can explain these tragedies. We have a statistical signal, but no explanations beyond speculation.
Starting in early 2019, Dr. Kertesz’s team began crafting proposals to do this. The team is called CSI:OPIOIDs.
“You served and have fought for others, now fight for you!”
Stories of Hope and Recovery
David Lilley survived a suicide attempt in his forties.
“I nearly missed out on a lot of my childrens’ lives. It’s been a real blessing to watch them grow into adults and be blessed with a grandchild.”
Helping A Veteran In Crisis is Everyone’s Business…
Typically, intervention also provides training through information, which can reestablish one’s optimism and ethos (life values) and the value of life itself…
You can play a vital role by reaching out to family members, friends, and coworkers (anyone), who is exhibiting crisis warning signs by engaging and showing your support.
Helping a person feel included makes a major “Thought Changing” difference during challenging times of perceived isolation.
Resources for Family Members or Friends of Veterans
Caregiver Support:
If you are caring for a Veteran, the VA Caregiver Support Program offers training, educational resources, and a variety of tools to help you succeed.
- Call 1-855–260–3274, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday for advice on being a caregiver.
- Find your local Caregiver Support Coordinator.
Coaching Into Care:
This VA program provides guidance to Veterans’ family members and friends for encouraging a reluctant Veteran they care about to reach out for support with a mental health challenge.
- Free, confidential assistance is available by calling 1-888-823-7458
- Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, or emailing CoachingIntoCare@va.gov.
CRISIS Phone Text and Chat Lines
If you feel you are at risk for taking your own life seek help right away.
There are many ways to
get help
- Call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Veterans can call and then press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
- Text the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 911).
- Text the Veterans Crisis Line at 988.
- Call your health care or mental health provider
- Reach out to a loved one or close friend
- If you are worried that a loved one is at risk for suicide, don't leave them alone. You should also:
- Encourage them to seek help. Assist them in finding help if needed.
- Let them know you care. Listen without judgement, and provide encouragement and support.
- Restrict access to weapons, pills, and other items that could cause harm.
You may also want to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for advice and support.
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.
988 (then press 1)
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.
- US and Canada: text 741741
- Message us on WhatsApp at 443-SUPPORT
- For international support, click here.
- Text Us
- Or, message us on Facebook.
ONE Becomes MANY
WE HEAR YOU
Emergency Resources Portal
HELP On-Demand
Emergency Access Resources
E.A.R.
Treatment Engagement Network
T.E.N.
Medical Info Record & Routine
M.I.R.R.
IN CRISIS?
Talk to Someone Now!
Click To Call or Text:
→ Veterans Crisis Line
→ PTSD Help Line
→ For Hearing Impaired
→ Text Veterans Crisis Line
→ Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
→ National Call Center For Homeless Veterans
→ War Vet Call Center
→ Women's Veterans Call Center
⇒Would you like to contribute to VFM? Please CLICK HERE to submit your resource.
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