Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)
Every death by suicide is preventable. Those who are suffering from a mental health crisis should know there are resources available to them right now. The Wisconsin Department is working in collaboration with organizations across the state and nationally to work toward the ultimate goal of zero veteran suicides.
Call 988+1 or Text 838255
If you are a veteran in crisis or you’re concerned about one, call 988 and press ‘1’ or text 838255 to get connected to the Veteran Crisis Line for 24/7/365 confidential crisis support.
You will be connected to a real person qualified to support veterans. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use the crisis line.
Additional help now
Vets4Warriors provides personalized and confidential peer support staffed by veterans 24/7/365 at https://vets4warriors.com or call 855-838-8255.
Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP)
The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) to connect veterans to community services and provide case management and support, with a special focus on treatment and recovery.
VORP staff work with community providers and professionals to provide assistance and connection to:
- Employment and Education
- Claims and Benefits Assistance
- Housing and Utilities
- Financial Assistance
- Substance Use Treatment
- Mental Health Services
Question, Persuade, Refer Training
QPR is intended to offer hope through positive action, this is not intended to be a form of counseling or treatment.
QPR Institute
Modeled after CPR training which trains civilians to resuscitate a person in physical distress – QPR trains civilians to identify possible suicidal intentions, talk to the person, and get the person referred to professional help.
To find out more about the QPR Institute, visit www.qprinstitute.com.
Free, local QPR training
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs offers free, local QPR training throughout the state.
To find out more information contact Cal Stammer at 608-733-1791 or email at calvin2.stammer@dva.wisconsin.gov.
Additional Resources
You do not need to be a professional in order to help a Veteran who may be going through a difficult time. There are a number of free, confidential, and vetted resources available 24/7/365
For Family Members, Friends, and the Community:
- Watch the S.A.V.E. training video, a free online suicide prevention training video from the PsychArmor Institute.
- Learn how to help a veteran in crisis at BeThereForVeterans.com
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Coaching into Care provides appropriate referrals and resources for your loved one. Call at 1-888-823-7458.
- Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Suicide Prevention Page to learn more about risk factors, warning signs, action steps, and more resources.
Resources by County
Check out Mental Health America of Wisconsin to find mental health resources by county at mhawisconsin.org or call 866-948-6483.