Veterans Crisis Line Outreach Blog Post

Veterans Crisis Line

Suicide Prevention Month Partner Outreach

Blog Post

  

Stand by Them:

Show Your Support for Veterans During Suicide Prevention Month

September is national Suicide Prevention Month, an important reminder that you can make a difference in the life of a Veteran every month and every day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs organizations and individuals across the country to educate their communities about the signs of suicide risk and raise awareness about the free, confidential support available from the Veterans Crisis Line. To accomplish this mission, VA encourages Veterans’ communities, friends, and family members to get involved, learn more, and help spread the word to promote mental health and prevent Veteran suicide.

A critical step in preventing suicide is learning to recognize warning signs. Although many at-risk Veterans may not show any signs of intent to harm themselves, there are behaviors that could indicate that a Veteran needs support. In addition to talking about suicide or hurting oneself, some signs that a Veteran may be at risk for suicide include engaging in risky behaviors, withdrawing from family and friends, and feeling hopeless, anxious, and angry. To learn about additional signs that someone may be at risk, go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SignsOfCrisis.  

If a Veteran you know exhibits any of these signs, trained professionals—many of them Veterans themselves—at the Veterans Crisis Line can help. Just call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text to 838255 for free, confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered more than 640,000 calls and made more than 23,000 life-saving rescues. In 2009, an anonymous online chat service was added, which has helped more than 50,000 people. In November 2011, the Veterans Crisis Line introduced a text messaging service to provide another way for Veterans to connect with round-the-clock support. Qualified and caring VA responders are also able to provide referrals to local VA services and aid Veterans in getting fast-tracked mental health care within VA.

Every American can help prevent Veteran suicide. During Suicide Prevention Month, stand by our Veterans and their loved ones. Spread the word about the Veterans Crisis Line and help make sure that all Veterans know that confidential support is only a call, click, or text away. Go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Pledge to take the Suicide Prevention Month pledge and learn how you can educate yourself and those around you about suicide risk and the Veterans Crisis Line.

You can also visit www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SPMSupport to download free Suicide Prevention Month materials, including posters and flyers that you can print and distribute in your community; online ads in a variety of sizes and formats to display on your website; and, free, ready-to-go content for your Facebook page, Twitter feed, newsletters, or other print materials.

Our Veterans stood by us. Now let’s stand by them. Together, we can make sure they get the support they earned and deserve.

Visit www.VeteransCrisisLine.net to learn more.

To learn about additional warning signs of crisis, go to www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SignsOfCrisis  

Caregiver Jobs & Career Thoughts

Hi friends,

Last Friday, the Chamber of Commerce held the first ever Military Spouse and Caregiver Forum and Hiring Event.  We were very pleased to be included and were on the schedule with Blue Star Families to provide a Caregiver Roundtable.  As it turns out, we worked this more informally than expected, but it was apparent that we need to use every opportunity to educate corporations about the value of hiring caregivers.  As you know, caregiving is on a continuum, and employers will be better able to offer positions with greater understanding of the phases of caregiving. 

Since this was held near Bethesda, the caregivers that attended this event were still actively caregiving at Walter Reed (WRNNMC).  First-stage caregivers are very deeply involved in their service member’s recovery, and possible jobs would need to be supremely flexible; not impossible but challenging.  Importantly, though, this is a very good time to re-tool a resume, learn how to translate your skills into career enhancers, and to review priorities in interests and job choice.  There is also a wide variation of skills and capabilities among caregivers, and an excellent workshop was held for those seeking to resume higher-level professional careers. Again, this is an excellent time to now translate your civilian skills into a possible governmental track, if this appeals to you.

The group that was underrepresented at this event were the caregivers who are now out of the hospital and in the community. At this secondary caregiving stage, we believe those who re-work their resumes and attend such events will find willing and eager employers.  Flexibility, telework, and research are all possible for the stay-at-home caregiver, and VeteranCaregiver and Blue Star Families will continue to discuss the employment potential and value of caregivers to employers wherever we go.  As you view the years ahead, caregiving and treatments will presumably continue to bring forth new options, and taking advantage of these community events is a great first step toward resuming your work, or calling.

One of the most remarkable things to us is that the military community is now purposefully inserting Caregiver elements into nearly all events.  This includes medical care, education, employment, transition, communication, and outreach topics.  In other words, could it actually be that Caregiving has reached the ears of enough people to resonate and expand the military’s perception?  We say a resounding “Yes”!!!  Take advantage of the events around you, re-tool that resume even if you are not ready to use it, talk to employers whenever possible, and realistically consider your options over time.  Just as you thought little medical progress was occurring at the time – remember that you now view great strides from the place you now stand.

Caregivers are emotionally strong, resourceful, loyal, and persistent people.  These attributes make for excellent employees.  Where you are today will not be where you are tomorrow; be ready when the circumstances and opportunity arises.

We support you; let us know how we might help.

Linda

Awareness is Key!

Greetings, friends,
        We send you a rallying call today:  keep sharing the vital role of Caregivers in the Continuum of Care!
        We never use those words glibly:  Continuum of Care.  Caregivers know it is by their actions and commitment that compassionate care supports our brave injured, ill, or wounded troops.  We know that you are the essential backbone of that care, and that your crucial role is often overlooked.

        Recently, more serious media attention has been given to warriors, veterans, and their Caregivers.  After the September 27th NY Times article on Veteran Caregiving, the CBS News  evening broadcast included a piece on Warrior Caregiving on October 7th (above photo, video to follow).  On Saturday, Pamela Eggleston of Blue Star Families and I participated in a panel discussion regarding women veterans and service family needs, including the value of Caregivers in recovery (below).  Very tough topics such as MST (military sexual trauma or rape/assault), equity in benefits for Guard/Reserve, and the evolving VA medical system to address women's issues were discussed, and Caregiving needs resonated with the attendees.

        We are spending significant time talking with DoD and VA leadership about proactive assistance and timely follow-through.  There is unfortunate bureaucracy in managing chronic pain, depression, invisible injuries (PTS and TBI), family health issues, and comprehensive care plans.  Suicide prevention will always be a deep concern.  As you are aware, under the "feel good" stories are unresolved darker stories that may follow if we do not keep assertively sharing service family challenges and casting light into the dimmer corners.  

        In short, we appreciate you and your commitment.  Maya Angelou said this:  “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”  Tell your stories and shine the Light !

Linda

PS:  Even our foreign counterparts are requesting briefings about the role of Caregiving in reintegration after injury.  Let your voices be heard!

Suicide Prevention Month

Greetings, friends,


Through all the summer turmoil of torrid heat, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, and a hurricane, and personal crises too numerous to mention individually, we now arrive in September, or Suicide Prevention Month.  What does this really mean? 


All too well, we know that Suicide Prevention is a constant and active choice.  It happens hour by hour, day by day, by those who care.  So many studies now affirm that caring peers and friends can help others to choose life over the very final decision to take their own lives.  Nearly all in this VCG Community can attest to the day a VCG Hug arrived at a crucial moment, someone took the time to reach out when silence was noted, and a call or email was sent or received that lifted spirits and made you feel cared for and about. With crisis, depression, or fear -- a caring word or thought can change an otherwise desperate outcome.


There are many, many official tools in place:  suicide hotlines, crisis helplines, online chat, and service branch programs. Valuable tools with the emphasis on the person in crisis taking that first step.  Other programs permit friends and families to identify and encourage obtaining help.  Yet, what about the simple act of situational awareness and realizing that you haven't seen or heard a word from "Jane" online/offline in a few days?  The gentle proactive outreach that says "I noticed you've been quiet; are you alright?"  There are countless occasions that accomplished the miraculous - this online community cares, and it shows.  


Bob Delaney's new book, "Surviving the Shadows" speaks of peer support as the most powerful tool available following trauma or crisis.  We agree wholeheartedly.  So, as this September enlightens many to greater awareness of noticing or identifying anguish, depression, and suicidal thoughts, please know and appreciate how YOU hold each other up, lift spirits, and give hope to those that feel or felt hopeless.  


Let's keep on caring, and reaching out to each other - you might matter to someone else more than you'll ever know... We care and it shows!


When in doubt - reach out!


Blessings and thanks,


Linda

I am a Caregiver. 
 
Of Caregivers.

And, so are you if you are here.  

What we do every single day is to give:  time, support, love, funds,and care.  From somewhere above, we are given what we need to provide the (hopefully) right words at the right time to the right person.  We are there for one another.  Some days are up, some days are down, but we are present when needed.  We save or at least enrich lives daily.

And, it is inconceivable that time and time again, we are told "Thank you for your interest", "Thank you for your support", and "How do you do this job every day?"   Is there only Rhetoric in our proud country?  Or, is there Heart, but simply no awareness?  Our hope is that it is lack of awareness rather than lack of caring that spares the action to go along with the words.

Is it possible that once you know that Caregivers even exist ("I thought the VA provided veteran care"), you can still find them invisible?   

Imponderable to us.  And, to many others. 
 
Caregivers and Veteran Families matter.  After a decade of war, at least three generations will be effected by multiple deployments, fractured families, homelessness, financial strain, joblessness, and injured, ill, or wounded troops.  Can we truly ignore what is in front of us?  Apparently so.


Yet, listen closely and you'll hear a growing number of voices raised together to stop fragmenting families into disparate groups, vying for dollars, and attention. Unity on this issue is important. Please continue to spread the very real needs of Veteran Families.

Because, once you know the need, how can you not help?

Linda