FREE ACCESS: New resource available for veterans in crisis

-Veterans Crisis Line added to 988 service-

There’s a new resource available for veterans in times of crisis, according to Greene County Veterans Service Officer Richard Nichols.

“This is brand new and very important for everyone, veterans and the general public alike,” Nichols said. “Anyone can dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans dial 988 and then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. It simplifies the previous procedure immensely and will hopefully become household knowledge, akin to 911, in a short period of time. This is critical at this point in history.”

The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7, 365 days a year, is free and provides confidential crisis support.

You may also still reach a Veterans Crisis responder at:

• 1-800-273-8255 and press 1

• VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat

• Text 838255

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report, Tt average number of suicides per day among U.S. adults rose 55%, from 81.0 in 2001 to 125.6 in 2019. Across the same 18-year period, the average number of veteran suicides per day rose 4.5, from 16.4 in 2001 to 17.2 in 2019 and the numbers continue to climb.

If you or someone you know is a veteran in crisis, call the Veteran Crisis Line by dialing 988 and then pressing 1. Our nation’s veterans are too important to lose.