The Veterans Crisis Line is a toll-free, confidential resource that connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders.
Veterans and their loved ones can
call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net*, or send a text message to 838255 to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. VA also provides support for Service members through the Military Crisis Line. Service members and their families and friends can call and text the Veterans Crisis Line numbers and can chat online at www.MilitaryCrisisLine.net.
The professionals at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances—from Veterans coping with mental health issues that were never addressed to recent Veterans struggling with relationships or the transition back to civilian life.
Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered more than 745,000 calls, 83,000 chats, and made more than 26,000 life-saving rescues. In 2009, VA added the anonymous online chat that has since helped more than 65,000 people.
VA is working to make sure that all Veterans and their loved ones are aware of the Veterans Crisis Line. To reach as many Veterans as possible, VA is coordinating with communities and partner groups nationwide, including community-based organizations, Veteran Service Organizations, and local health care providers, to let Veterans and their loved ones know that support is available whenever, if ever, they need it.
Act Now
Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone now
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
Warning Signs
People experience emotional and mental health crises in response to a wide range of situations—from difficulties in their personal relationships to the loss of a job. For Veterans, these crises can be heightened by their experiences in military service. When emotional issues reach a crisis point, it’s time to call on the Veterans Crisis Line for support.
Sometimes, a crisis may involve thoughts of suicide. Learn to recognize these warning signs:
Hopelessness, feeling like there’s no way out
Anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, or mood swings
Feeling like there is no reason to live
Rage or anger
Engaging in risky activities without thinking
Increasing alcohol or drug abuse
Withdrawing from family and friends
The presence of the following signs requires immediate attention:
Thinking about hurting or killing yourself
Looking for ways to kill yourself
Talking about death, dying or suicide
Self-destructive behavior such as drug abuse, weapons, etc.
If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who is experiencing any of these signs, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net*, or text 838255 today.
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
Suicide Prevention Resources
Veterans Chat - Veterans Crisis Line*: Veterans Chat enables Veterans, their families and friends to go online where they can anonymously chat with a trained VA counselor. If the chats are determined to be a crisis, the counselor can take immediate steps to transfer the chatter to the Veterans Crisis Line, where further counseling and referral services are provided and crisis intervention steps can be taken. This same service is also available to Service members through Military Crisis Line chat.
Locate Your Local Suicide Prevention Coordinator*: Each VA Medical Center has a suicide prevention coordinator to make sure Veterans receive needed counseling and services. Calls to the Veterans Crisis Line are referred to those coordinators.
DoD/VA Suicide Outreach: Resources for Suicide Prevention**: Provides ready access to hotlines, treatments, professional resources, forums and multiple media designed to link you to others. This site supports all Service Branches, the National Guard and the Reserves, our Veterans, families, and providers.
Medal of Honor Recipients: Speak Out! Save Lives**: Our nation's greatest heroes – Medal of Honor recipients – speak out to save lives by encouraging America's military to seek help when adjusting to life after combat.
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
**Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked web sites.
Brochures and Information Sheets
How to Recognize When to Ask for Help: Contains information on suicide prevention such as, understanding the warning signs, myths and realities, and Veteran specific risks.
VA ACE Card (PDF) and VA ACE Brochure (PDF): The purpose of ACE is to help Veterans, their family members and friends learn that they can take the necessary steps to get help. The acronym ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) summarizes the steps needed to take an active and valuable role in suicide prevention. The VA ACE Card is a pocket guide, supported by the VA ACE Brochure which provides more in depth information.
How to Talk to a Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family: These information sheets are intended to serves as guides for adults to use when talking with a 4-8, 9-13 or 14-18 year-old child about a suicide attempt in the family. They are not intended to replace the advice of a mental health professional. In fact, it may be best to use these guides along with professional support if you or your child is struggling with how to talk about this difficult topic. It is important to consider the child's level of development and ability to understand events when deciding how to talk with them about this issue. This series has been updated January 2013 and now includes Spanish versions.
*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.
Campaign Materials
Stand By Them. We'll Stand by You.
You can show support for our Nation’s Veterans and their families and encourage them to get the care they deserve by downloading Veterans Crisis Line materials and helping us spread the word about this free and confidential resource available to all Veterans and their families.
Web ads in a variety of standard sizes are available for use on public and VA websites. You can also download Veterans Crisis Line logos, posters and other materials to print and display in your community.
Print Materials
You can download Veterans Crisis Line materials and print them from your own computer. Multiple versions of full-color and black and white posters are available for download in both 8.5’’ x 11’’ and 11’’ x 17’’ formats. You can also download and insert your own contact information or event details in a Veterans Crisis Line flyer. Public fact sheets are also available for print. Large print and braille materials are available for people with visual impairment. To request them, please contact Rhett Herrera at Rhett.Herrera@va.gov.
Download a variety of online banner ads and badges to use on your website and link to the Veterans Crisis Line. Banner ads and badges are available in standard sizes approved for VA.gov sites as well as public sites.
Want to include the Veterans Crisis Line logo on your own materials? The Veterans Crisis Line logo is available for download in a variety of formats. You can also access and download the Veterans Crisis Line Branding Guidelines for guidance on how to consistently apply the various components of the Veterans Crisis Line brand.
You can download Veterans Crisis Line materials and print them from your own computer. Multiple versions of full-color and black and white posters are available for download in both 8.5’’ x 11’’ and 11’’ x 17’’ formats. You can also download and insert your own contact information or event details in a Veterans Crisis Line flyer. Public fact sheets are also available for print. Large print and braille materials are available for people with visual impairment. To request them, please contact Rhett Herrera at 
Download a variety of online banner ads and badges to use on your website and link to the Veterans Crisis Line. Banner ads and badges are available in standard sizes approved for VA.gov sites as well as public sites.
Want to include the Veterans Crisis Line logo on your own materials? The Veterans Crisis Line logo is available for download in a variety of formats. You can also access and download the Veterans Crisis Line Branding Guidelines for guidance on how to consistently apply the various components of the Veterans Crisis Line brand.