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If a veteran is in immediate danger, injured, or about to act on a plan to harm themselves or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also go directly to a VA medical center. For veteran-specific crisis counseling, call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or use the Veterans Crisis Line online chat. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7; friends and family concerned about a veteran can contact it, too.
What should I do if a veteran is in crisis?
Choose the route based on urgency. A crisis-line responder can support a conversation and help identify next steps; the line is not a substitute for emergency response when someone faces immediate danger.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger, an injury, or a plan to act | Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also go directly to a VA medical center. |
| The veteran needs real-time crisis support, but emergency danger is not immediate | Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or use Veterans Crisis Line online chat. |
| The immediate crisis has passed and ongoing support is needed | Contact a VA medical center or suicide-prevention coordinator; eligible veterans and families may also use Vet Center services. Family or friends can contact Coaching Into Care for help navigating VA and supporting the veteran. |
If you reach a non-VA emergency department, tell staff the person is a veteran and ask them to contact VA. Payment for emergency care can depend on VA eligibility and the circumstances; do not assume every visit will be covered. Confirm individual eligibility with VA. VA emergency-care information explains the conditions.
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How can I help a veteran who may be suicidal?
Stay calm and listen
Speak calmly, listen more than you talk, and respond without judgment. Let the veteran decide how much to share. You do not need to solve everything in the conversation; focus on helping them connect with support and stay safe.
Ask directly about suicide
VA’s Talking With a Veteran in Crisis handout recommends asking plainly: “Are you thinking about killing yourself or someone else?” Listen to the answer without arguing, shaming, or changing the subject. Asking directly is a way to understand what help is needed, not a substitute for professional support.
If they say yes, connect them with help
Offer to contact the Veterans Crisis Line together. Try to learn where the veteran is and whether someone is nearby who can stay with them. If they have an immediate plan, have injured themselves or someone else, or you otherwise believe danger is immediate, call 911 rather than trying to assess or manage the emergency alone.
If you are communicating remotely and do not know the veteran’s location, ask them to share it while you contact the crisis line or emergency services as appropriate. Do not put yourself in danger to reach them.
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What warning signs should I watch for?
Possible signs include changes in mood, behavior, relationships, or daily functioning. VA lists examples such as:
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- Persistent sadness, depression, anxiety, or agitation; unusual changes in sleep; or neglect of appearance or personal welfare.
- Withdrawing from other people, losing interest in activities, or expressing guilt, shame, failure, hopelessness, or feeling trapped.
- Poor performance at work or school, or violent or risky behavior.
- Giving away prized possessions, making a will, or seeking access to firearms or pills.
These are possible signs, not a screening test. VA cautions that many veterans show no signs before attempting self-harm, so the absence of visible warning signs does not establish that someone is safe. If you are concerned, ask directly and use the support options above.
What support is available after the immediate crisis?
- VA suicide-prevention coordinator: VA medical centers have coordinators who can connect veterans with continuing suicide-prevention support. Find a coordinator through VA’s suicide-prevention coordinator directory.
- Vet Centers: Vet Centers offer services to eligible veterans, service members, and families. Check VA Vet Center information for eligibility and local services.
- Coaching Into Care: This VA program helps family members and friends understand VA services and ways to support a veteran. See VA Coaching Into Care and VA services for family members and caregivers.
- VA S.A.V.E. course: The VA Veterans Health Library lists this free educational course, developed with VA, to teach suicide-prevention skills. It is training, not an emergency service. See VA Veterans Health Library.
These options can help with continuing support and navigation after stabilization; they do not replace 911 or emergency-department care when danger is immediate.
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What if firearm access is part of the concern?
VA identifies seeking access to firearms as a possible warning sign. If firearm access is relevant, focus first on professional help and distance from immediate danger: call 911 for an emergency or contact the Veterans Crisis Line for crisis support. Do not approach or handle a firearm during an active crisis if you are untrained or could be at risk. A secure-storage lock may be relevant to prevention planning once the situation is stable, but no particular device is endorsed here.
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