Ralph H. Johnson VA Recognizing Suicide Prevention Month

Press Release

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System is recognizing Suicide Prevention Month throughout September and is helping to educate Veterans, their families, friends, and residents in the Lowcountry about suicide prevention and awareness. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ad Council partnered to develop and launch a national campaign with the slogan “Don’t Wait. Reach Out,” to encourage Veterans to reach out for help before their challenges become overwhelming or reach a crisis point.

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System is dedicated to helping the entire Veteran community in the Lowcountry combat suicide and bring mental health to the spotlight. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the suicide rate for Veterans was 52.3% greater than for non-Veteran adults. Another report from the Department of Veterans Affairs found that Veterans who were received care at VA facilities had a 16.1% decrease in suicide.

The new Veteran Crisis Line phone number to help further combat suicide is 988 and Veterans can connect with mental health providers, confidentially, 24 hours a day. The Veteran Crisis Line has answered over 3.9 million calls and dispatched emergency services to callers in crises over 119,000 times.

To help combat Veteran suicide, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System offers an array of medical and mental health services, dedicated suicide prevention coordinators, assistance with housing, and job placement.

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