A Veteran hotline specialist in a headset provides online support while listening to a caller.

A Closer Look at the Veterans Crisis Line and How It Works

As VA reminds us, whether you’re a Veteran or a friend or family member concerned about one, confidential assistance is only a call, click or text away.

Dial 988 and press 1. These instructions to call the Veterans Crisis Line can be found on websites, flyers, and social media feeds, but do you know what actually happens when you call? You may wonder–What can I expect? Who will I talk to? Is it confidential?

Learn more about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Crisis Line and how it can help you and your loved ones in times of crisis.

What Do I Need to Know?

To ensure you understand what reaching out to the Veterans Crisis Line entails, check out the important information below. All of it can be found on different pages of the Veterans Crisis Line website.

  • When to call. Contact the crisis line immediately if you or a Veteran and/or service member in your life is showing signs of a crisis such as: talking about feeling hopeless, experiencing anxiety or agitation, or increasing risky behaviors or substance use.
  • You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. The crisis line is open to all Veterans and service members, regardless of whether you receive VA benefits or health care. Spouses, family members, parents and friends of Veterans and service members may also contact the crisis line to get assistance for a Veteran they are concerned about.
  • Crisis line responders are trained in crisis intervention and understand military and veteran culture. Responders are experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances–including Veterans coping with chronic pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, anger, financial trouble, or homelessness. Responders understand that all of these stressors can lead to a crisis. Their job is to listen and connect you to the many resources that can help.
  • Your call is free. There is no charge to call the Veterans Crisis Line.
  • Your call is confidential. You decide how much information to share with your responder. Information you provide to the Veterans Crisis Line won’t be shared unless you give the responder permission to share it or indicate you would like follow-up care after the call. For example, if you’d like support from a local VA suicide prevention coordinator, the responder may ask for your name and some personal information to help set up a meeting. If you’re in imminent danger or at risk of harming others, the responder will coordinate a dispatch of emergency services with local officials. Learn more about VA’s Privacy Policy.
  • Responders are available 24/7/365 days a year. You don’t have to wait for a “good time” to call. Responders are always available to listen.
  • You can call on behalf of someone else. If you’re worried about a Veteran or Service member in your life, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line. The responder can offer resources and guidance on how to support your friend or loved one. Your call is confidential as responders will not reach out to the Veteran to disclose that you called.
  • You aren’t alone. Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has received more than 8 million calls, 975,000 chats and more than 399,000 texts.

What Happens When I Reach Out? 

You can get in touch with Crisis Line responders in three ways–call, chat or text.A family member is being taught by a spouse how to use the Crisis Line on a smartphone.

A recording will alert you that you’ve reached the Veterans Crisis Line. There will be a brief pause while the call is connected to a qualified responder ready to listen and help. The responder will ask a few questions, such as whether you or the Veteran or service member you’re concerned about may be in immediate danger or at risk for suicide.

If you or the Veteran or Service member you’re concerned about is in crisis, the responder will listen, offer support and help you make a plan to stay safe. If you or the Veteran or Service member you’re concerned about is in immediate danger or you believe they are at risk of suicide, the responder will help you get through the crisis and connect you with the support and services you need, either from your local VA or within your community.

Support doesn’t have to end after your call. VA offers follow-up care for Veterans who would like it. For example, there is a Peer Support Outreach Call Center staffed by trained Veterans who provide additional support to Crisis Line callers.

Other assistance programs include:

  • Caring Letters: This program focuses on mailing letters to Veterans during the year after their initial documented call to the Veterans Crisis Line. This initiative has been found to reduce the rate of suicide death, attempts and ideation, and provides a unique opportunity to help save Veteran lives beyond the call.
  • Peer Support Outreach Call Center: This center is staffed by trained Veterans who proactively reach out to Veterans Crisis Line callers who might benefit from additional intervention. Studies show that Veterans who have peer mentors are more likely to keep their VA appointments, access additional treatment methods, and meet other important health benchmarks.

No matter what you’re experiencing, responders can help. Reach out if you’re thinking about hurting yourself, having thoughts of suicide or are becoming self-destructive. Reach out if you’re experiencing anxiety, agitation or hopelessness. Reach out if you’re doing increasingly risky behaviors or abusing substances.

If you’re worried about a Veteran, you don’t need to be an expert to help and getting involved could help the situation.

Resources

The Veterans Crisis Line offers a list of additional resources, including VA mental health and suicide prevention services, local resources and more. Take a self-check assessment to see if depression or stress is affecting you. You can also check out the Crisis Line’s frequently asked questions to get answers to questions you may have.

As VA reminds us, whether you’re a Veteran or a friend or family member concerned about one, confidential assistance is only a call, click or text away.

Tell us what you think.

* Required form fields

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.