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0 pointsstonemetal9y ago0 comments

Veterans Crisis Line is a suicide prevention hotline setup by the VA for Vets. So yeah he called the wrong suicide prevention line but he still intended to call suicide prevention.

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4 comments · 1 top-level

Noseshine9y ago· 3 in thread

As I understand it, and I checked their "About" page to make sure [0], their focus is broader and they want you to call them well before suicidal thoughts, which is why they don't have "suicide" in the name.

  > In 2011, the National Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline was renamed the Veterans Crisis
  > Line to encourage Veterans and their families and friends to make the call. People who know
  > a Veteran best may be the first to recognize emotional distress and reach out for support
  > when issues reach a crisis point — and well before a Veteran is at risk of suicide.

[0] https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/About/AboutVeteransCrisis...

stonemetalOP9y ago

I would agree that they handle more than suicide response, but I would disagree that they are not primarily suicide response. If you call not in immediate crisis it sounds like they are going to refer you to the closest suicide prevention coordinator. From their when to call page:

>If you’re thinking of hurting yourself, looking for ways to kill yourself, or becoming self-destructive, don’t continue to face it alone. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line immediately...

>For Veterans NOT in immediate crisis:

>Help is always available. Suicide Prevention Coordinators are at all VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) nationwide and work closely with Veterans dealing with mental health conditions and with difficult life events and experiences.

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/GetHelp/WhenToCall.aspx

gohrt9y ago

Splitting semantic hairs. The name changed, but the phone number didn't; the goal is still suicide prevention, but with an attempt to avoid the stigma that comes with "suicide" in the name.

Noseshine9y ago

It is not "splitting hairs"! Did you read the article? There is a difference between acute suicide prevention and general prevention! You would not expect the kind of reaction that he got when calling this hotline, because they don't assume an immediate case of suicide that they have to send police to without delay!

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