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VA Caregiver Support Program

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Support for Veterans - Resources

Suicide Prevention 

Caregivers are key in spotting warning signs of suicidal thinking.

Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) prioritizes preventing suicide among all Veterans including those who may never seek care within the VA health care system. Life can present challenges for both Veterans and their caregivers, but you don’t have to face them alone.

What is suicide prevention?

Suicide prevention involves various efforts to reduce the risk of suicide. These efforts can take place at the individual, relational, community, and societal levels. VA recognizes the vital role caregivers play as partners in the care of Veterans but also recognizes that caregivers may experience thoughts of suicide and prevention efforts must include caregivers. Caregiver Resources Suicide Prevention Flyer (PDF)

Benefits of suicide prevention education

• Guidance on Saving Lives: Learn practical strategies to help prevent suicide.
• Tools for Recognizing Risk and Protective Factors and Warning Signs: Equip yourself to identify when you might need to have a conversation with a loved one about suicide.
• Support for Clinical Suicide Prevention Needs: Provide assistance to those who need acute and long-term care.

VA S.A.V.E. Training for Caregivers

VA  S.A.V.E. Training for Caregivers teaches you how to:
/images/2025/letterS.pngSpot the signs of suicidal thinking
/images/2025/letterA.pngAsk the most important question of all: “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”
/images/2025/letterV.pngValidate the Veteran’s experience
/images/2025/letterE.pngEncourage treatment and Expedite getting help

By participating in this 2-hour training, you will:
• Understand we care about YOUR mental health and caregiver support needs.
• Be able to spot the signs of someone experiencing thoughts of suicide so you can ask your Veteran, another caregiver, or anyone who is at risk for suicide about them to successfully expedite help.
• Learn skills to talk about secure storage of firearms and other “lethal means safety“ with your Veteran.
• Gain access to VA S.A.V.E. resources, self-care resources and secure storage resources.

Training includes supported practice for caregivers to Ask the Question and to start conversations about securely storing firearms and other lethal means. More information can be found here: VA SAVE Training for Caregivers Flyer (PDF)

Who Can Take the VA S.A.V.E. Training for Caregivers?

- Caregivers enrolled in the VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) can participate in sessions of the VA  S.A.V.E. Training for Caregivers. Please contact your local  Caregiver Support Team/Coordinator, about how to enroll.

- You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to take VA  S.A.V.E. Training. Visit https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-s-a-v-e to take the course online (30 minute video) or contact your local Suicide Prevention Coordinator to schedule in-person training: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/localresources/.  VA Save Training Flyer (PDF)

For more detailed information on helping prevent suicide among caregivers, go to VA  S.A.V.E. Preventing Caregiver Suicide http://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save-preventing-caregiver-suicide (30 minute video.) 

Lethal Means Safety & Suicide Prevention

Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp instruments) that can be used to inflict self-directed violence. Lethal Means Safety (LMS) is an intentional, voluntary practice to reduce one’s suicide risk by limiting access to those lethal means. Individuals who reduce their access to lethal means during times of heightened risk are reducing their risk of dying by suicide, and we want to equip families with lethal means safety materials.

VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: please review their following resources

VA’s Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)  - their mission is to improve care for Veterans with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illnesses, see the resources below:

Suicide Prevention Toolkit 

The VA Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Caregivers provides essential information on suicide prevention and evidence-based treatments for mental health and substance use disorders, designed to help Veterans recover and achieve their goals.  This toolkit includes resources accessible to anyone during a crisis and offers guidance on self-care to ensure you have the support you need to stay healthy and strong while caring for a Veteran. 

Don't Wait.  Reach Out.

The VA has launched the Don't Wait.  Reach Out  website, designed specifically to support for Veterans, caregivers, and families.  Whether you're facing career or educational challenges, dealing with grief or loss, or experiencing feelings of depression or isolation, Don't Wait.  Reach Out.  offers tailored assistance.  Find the right Veteran Resources Quickly and Easily,  Don’t Wait. Reach out. (va.gov)

Veterans Crisis Line

If you're a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support.  You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.  

Veterans or people concerned about a Veteran can reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Veterans can also text 838255 or chat at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/.

Caregivers will receive help for themselves by texting or calling 988.
• Or go to https://988lifeline.org/chat/ where you can chat with a crisis counselor online 24/7/365.

DIAL 988 THEN PRESS 1 FOR THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE

/images/2025/CR_SuicidePrevention_Caregiver-Update.jpg

Need Help?

Call VA’s Caregiver Support Line (CSL) at 1-855-260-3274 to learn more about the support that is available to you, and for assistance connecting with the Caregiver Support Team/Coordinator, at your local VA Medical Center.


Subscribe to receive email updates and information about VA Caregiver Support Program services.

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