Signs It's Time to Reach Out

For veterans, service members, and the people who love them.

A lot of veterans wait until things feel unmanageable. Reaching out earlier is a strength, and it usually makes the work shorter.

It may be time if you notice

• Sleep that stays off for weeks
• More anger, irritability, or shutting down with family
• Drinking or other habits creeping up to take the edge off
• Pulling away from people you used to call
• Memories, guilt, or "should haves" that keep replaying
• Feeling like you lost your purpose after leaving the military

Where to start

• Vet Centers: free, confidential counseling. No VA enrollment or disability rating needed. 877-927-8387
• Military OneSource: free short-term counseling for service members and families. 800-342-9647
• TAPS: grief support for anyone who lost someone who served. 800-959-8277
• The Headstrong Project: confidential care at no cost for veterans and families

If you're worried about someone else

Ask directly and listen without fixing. "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" doesn't put the idea in their head, and it can open the door. Stay with them and call or text the Veterans Crisis Line together.