Roanoke, Virginia – Veteran suicide stays a subject of concern as we head into 2024.
“Particularly this time of 12 months when the times are darkish and we’re popping out of the vacation season and heading into a brand new 12 months,” mentioned Michael Gartland, suicide prevention coordinator at Salem Healthcare System in Virginia.
One of many greatest indicators is isolation, Gartland mentioned.
“When folks begin to isolate and separate from family and friends, that is one of many greatest indicators, and it is also an indication for people who find themselves anxious about folks,” Gartland mentioned.
He mentioned there are different indicators veterans ought to concentrate on as nicely.
“As soon as I really feel like myself, not like myself, or as soon as I notice there’s an preliminary disaster, I wish to redefine the disaster,” Gartland mentioned. “It would not should be that I am in a chilly sweat and suicidal. If I am battling housing, remedy, relationships, or substance abuse issues… Medicine or something like that, contact me now.
Salem Healthcare System works alongside the Veterans Disaster Line, Gartland mentioned.
“They’re truly staff of the Division of Veterans Affairs. When a name is available in and somebody wants additional assist, they ahead these calls to us and we attempt to join folks. Right here at our VA, now we have psychological well being. Now we have substance abuse therapy. Now we have PTSD therapy.” Now we have traumatic mind accidents. “We provide a wide range of assets,” Gartland mentioned.
Anybody can name the 988 suicide prevention hotline, Gartland mentioned.
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