VA Suicide Prevention Program

What you get

Suicide prevention coordinators at every VA medical center, same-day mental health care, free emergency suicide care at VA or non-VA facilities, and free phone coaching for family and friends.

How VA care works in a crisis and after

1. 1A responder's or provider's findingFree emergency suicide care starts when a trained crisis responder or a health care provider finds a person at imminent risk of self-harm. It follows a recommendation from the Veterans Crisis Line, or arriving at a VA or non-VA facility in crisis.
2. 2Service VA looks for on emergency suicide careAt least one of these: sexual assault, battery, or harassment while serving; more than 24 months of active duty without a dishonorable discharge; or more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation, including as a Reserve member or by operating a drone from elsewhere, without a dishonorable discharge.
3. 3Ongoing care through a VA medical centerFor care after a crisis, the suicide prevention coordinator at your VA medical center can help you get counseling and services. You can use some VA mental health services without enrolling, and applying for VA health care opens more.

Source: 38 CFR 17.1205 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.1210(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: getting emergency care at non-VA facilities (opens in new tab); VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA mental health services (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)

Who is this for?

• Care through VA

  Every VA medical center has suicide prevention coordinators who can help you get counseling and services, and same-day mental health care. In a crisis, VA provides or pays for emergency suicide care at VA or non-VA facilities, even if you are not enrolled in VA health care.

  Source: VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); VA.gov: getting emergency care at non-VA facilities (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.1210(a) (opens in new tab)

• Help for family and friends

  Family members and friends who are concerned about a Veteran can reach the Veterans Crisis Line, help get the Veteran to emergency care, and talk with a VA coach by phone, free and confidential, through Coaching Into Care.

  1. 1Getting the Veteran to emergency careVA recommends that a Veteran in suicidal crisis call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. At a non-VA emergency department, tell the staff the person is a Veteran and ask them to contact VA right away. VA must get the notice within 72 hours; if the staff do not send it, someone acting for the Veteran can.

  Source: VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); VA.gov: COMPACT Act (VA Chicago health care) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: getting emergency care at non-VA facilities (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Nothing is needed to get help in a crisis. These records matter for VA paying for emergency care and for ongoing care. BeneVets does not ask you to describe a crisis or your health here.

Steps, in order

1. In crisis now: reach the Veterans Crisis Line

   Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or start a confidential chat from VA.gov. You can also call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or go directly to your nearest VA medical center.

   Source: VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab)

2. At a non-VA emergency room, say it is a Veteran

   Tell the staff you are a Veteran, or that the person you are with is one, and ask them to contact VA right away. VA must hear within 72 hours of when emergency care starts.

   Source: VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); VA.gov: getting emergency care at non-VA facilities (opens in new tab)

3. Paid a non-VA facility yourself? Ask VA to pay you back

   If you paid for emergency suicide care at a non-VA facility, send VA a standard billing form and the other information VA asks for, no later than 180 days after the date you paid. VA.gov has the instructions.

   Source: 38 CFR 17.1225(e) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.1225(a) (opens in new tab)

4. Ask for the suicide prevention coordinator

   Find your nearest VA medical center with the VA.gov facility locator, and ask for the suicide prevention coordinator. Coordinators help you get the counseling and services you need.

   Source: VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab)

5. Ask for same-day mental health care

   Call or walk in to any VA medical center, any time, day or night. Same-day services can include a face-to-face or video visit, a call with a VA nurse, a prescription, or a follow-up appointment.

   Source: VA.gov: VA mental health services (opens in new tab); VA.gov: virtual care, urgent care, emergency room, or 911 (opens in new tab)

6. Family and friends: call Coaching Into Care

   Call Coaching Into Care at 888-823-7458 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Licensed VA psychologists and social workers talk with you by phone, free and confidential, and help you find your way around VA.

   Source: VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA mental health services (opens in new tab)

7. Free help with VA benefits later

   Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you. A VSO can help with a VA health care application or a benefits claim.

   Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)

Good to know