VA Strives to Prevent Veteran Suicides

With more than 6,000 veterans committing suicide every year, and 98 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking their own lives during fiscal 2009 alone, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is redoubling its outreach to veterans and promoting its toll-free suicide-prevention hotline. To get the word out about their initiatives, VA launched an advertising campaign in 124 U.S. cities, with public service announcements. Callers may dial 1-800-273-TALK and then select option “1” to speak directly with a VA professional trained to deal with an immediate crisis. To learn more, or to read this article in full, please go to: http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=58879