Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line is a free and confidential service that connects veterans, servicemembers and their families to trained VA responders who help them through the crisis and can refer them directly to mental health and other services. You do not have to be registered with the VA or enrolled in VA health care to access this service. The resource is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Veterans Crisis Line can be contacted by a confidential hotline (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1), online chat (www.veteranscrisisline.net) or texting service (838255). Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered 4.9 million calls, 565,000 chats and 176,000 texts. To reach as many veterans as possible, the VA is coordinating with communities and partner groups nationwide, including community-based organizations, Veteran Service Organizations and local health-care providers, to let veterans and their loved ones know that support is available whenever, if ever, they need it.
Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative
The VA is committed to ending veteran homelessness. They focus on conducting coordinated outreach to proactively seek out veterans in need of assistance, connecting homeless and at-risk veterans with services, and collaborating with agencies, employers, housing providers, nonprofits and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for veterans. In 2017, with just over 40,000 homeless veterans, the VA saw a 46% reduction in veteran homelessness since 2010. Veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can call (1-877-4AID VET) or chat online where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But the VA cannot end veteran homelessness alone. Individuals and organizations across the country are partnering with the VA to promote programs and services to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. You can visit www.va.gov/homeless for more information.
