In this episode, we are talking to Dr. Eva Woodward and military veteran Doug Downey about veteran suicide prevention. The health and well-being of veterans is something that is not discussed very often within the faith community. Today, we are going to have a discussion that will hopefully spark some interest about the manner and ways that the faith community can be of support to veterans within the community. Tune in as we discuss veteran suicide prevention and how members of The Faith Network community can help others work through this very real issue.

Essential resources for anyone who is a veteran (or knows a veteran who may be having a suicide crisis):

1. VA S.A.V.E.

Training is free, and it is free for anyone to take at https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/va-save. If you feel like in-person training would be more useful, you can find your local VA suicide prevention coordinator at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/find-resources/local-resources/.

2. We Are the 22

Groundbreaking organization focused on direct veteran suicide intervention. Our teams are on standby twenty-four hours a day to respond in person to Arkansas veterans in suicidal crisis to provide peer support and get them to the help they need. You can learn more at: https://wearethe22.org/.

3. The Armory Project (TAP)

Helps prevent firearm suicides by facilitating safe, voluntary, out-of-home firearm storage with trusted firearms dealers and other vetted partners in local communities. Learn more at https://www.armoryproject.org/.

4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website

https://www.samhsa.gov/. They have a copy of a safety plan that can be downloaded and printed https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/988/safety-plan and they have a video that helps explain a safety plan and how to use it https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/988/build-safety-plan-video. The VA also has an app that can be used for safety plans https://mobile.va.gov/app/safety-plan. There are numerous websites that help with safety planning to include My Safety Plan at https://www.mysafetyplan.org/.

5. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Can be reached by dialing 988. Veterans or someone helping a Veteran can press 1.