National Suicide Crisis Hot Line Planned for Veterans

[babylonsister]

http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/vap07/vap070207-1.htm

National Suicide Crisis Hot Line Planned for Veterans

July 2, 2007

Nicholson: A Call for Help Needs Immediate Response



WASHINGTON – To ensure veterans with mental health crises have immediate access to trained coordinators, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will establish a 24-hour, national suicide prevention hot line.

“This is another significant step to ensure that veterans, particularly the newest generation of combat vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, receive accessible and compassionate care for their mental health concerns,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson.

The hot line, which is scheduled to begin operations by August 31, 2007, will be based at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center in New York state. Staffed by mental health professionals, it will operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

In addition to staffing the hot line, the suicide prevention coordinators will take part in training clinicians and non-clinicians on warning signs for suicide, guide veterans into care and work within facilities to identify veterans at risk for suicide.

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[Big Pappa]

1. They should have

had one 50 years ago.

[billbuckhead]

2. America's easy access to guns will prey on these vulnerable people

Guns are one of the most deadly ways to commit suicide.