Fight for Suicide Prevention!

 

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Get Help!

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If you are in need of immediate medical assistance, please dial 911. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK (8255).  Or you can text to 838255.

The VA SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE recently reported that it has received more than 55,000 calls, averaging 120 per day, with about 22,000 callers saying they are veterans.  See this SELF HELP GUIDE for veteran families about post-traumatic stress (PTSD), treatment and recovery.  Videos are available about PTSD, its stigma, depression, trigger and anger management, traumatic brain injury, physical injury, substance abuse, suicide prevention and much more at AFTER DEPLOYMENT WELLNESS.

 

Help Others

Contact LivingWorks Education the world’s leading suicide intervention skills training institution. Prevention training is also available through QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). Learn what to say/do, and what not to say/do when around someone at risk for suicide. Learn more about suicide prevention information, training and other resources at Montana DPHHS.

 

Transition Workshops for Veteran Families

RetreatSM8TRANSITION WORKSHOPS are FREE (excluding travel to the workshop location) for veterans and caregivers struggling with the effects of war. These restorative retreats strive for physical and psychological wellness and emotional decompression with outdoor recreational therapy. ONF also promotes suicide prevention first aid training for veteran mentors, caregivers or anyone wanting to be prepared to help save a life. See more about these workshops as they vary.  Apply now!

 

Learn More and Reach Out!

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More service members have died from suicide than on the battlefield. Over the course of nearly 14 years, suicide has steadily plagued our military. There have been 22 veteran suicides per day (of all age groups). See veteran suicide statistics by the Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services Suicide Prevention Program and national information about suicide by the American Association of Suicidology.

Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems–an act of hopelessness. It is giving in to an inner demon that is lying just to destroy hope, dreams and future beyond despair. No matter what is endured in life for veterans after war, they could struggle with resisting isolation, drinking or taking prescription drugs excessively to avoid dealing with reality. No matter what kind of internal pain veterans experience after combat, sometimes their pride causes them to suffer silently with invisible wounds. The stigma attached to receiving mental health treatment puts returning home veterans reluctant to treatment and at-risk for a host of problems.

ONF is fighting for veterans with public awareness campaigns, Veteran/Caregiver transition workshops, therapeutic outdoor retreats and suicide prevention first aid training.  The more we fight the stigmas associated with invisible wounds the more veterans can be reached, and the more these veterans can reach out to other veteransSPAsmall8.

The next time you hug a family member, sit down to a good meal, drive down a road without hidden explosives, lie down in a warm safe bed to sleep, or enjoy time with your best friends… Think about how our combat veterans have sacrificed and suffered loss through multiple Iraq or Afghanistan combat tours. Too many veterans continue to suffer in silence. They deserve our understanding and unwavering support!

 

How to Help:

HOST A LOCAL WORKSHOP on suicide prevention in your community or workplace.

DONATE to ONF.

VOLUNTEER in any way you can!

 

 

 

Images, videos and audios are created by and for ONF only and are neither for sale nor allowed to be copied without contacting ONF for terms and agreement.