The Sheridan VA Health Care System’s campaign against veteran suicide is in full swing. Just over a week ago, the VA Health Care System announced the campaign had begun.
Suicide has no single cause and it affects people from every walk of life. An extremely complex issue, all suicide is preventable and the team at the Sheridan VA Health Care System is committed to ending it.
Sheridan County residents can help. While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program Kayla Thomson from VA Suicide Prevention told listeners how the public can help by changing the stigma of the conversations that surround suicide and mental health.
K. Thomson
The campaign from the VA has offered local Sheridan coffee shops Wyoming-themed stickers that have the 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line information printed on them. Community members are invited to pick one up from a participating coffee shop, then save the Crisis Line information in their phone.
According to Thomson, (who answers some of those calls placed to the Crisis Line), anyone can use this line. If a family member or a friend wants to figure out how best to help a veteran who may be struggling in their own life, the Crisis Line can help that family member or friend with resources.
For those who wish to do so, the VA has also invited the public to post a photo of the sticker or take a selfie with the sticker and share it to any social media platform as a way to inform those veterans in their lives that they are willing to share that vital number with them.
According to the VA, the Sheridan participating coffee shops are Andi’s Coffee & Bakery, Bison Union Co., The Coffee Shop at Mydland Market, Happy Camper, Java Moon, Mudslingers Drive Thru Coffee, and Welcome Market Hall’s – Up Café.
If you are concerned about a veteran, reach out to them or contact the Crisis Line. The phone number is the same for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, however by pressing “1” at the prompt the caller is connected to the Veterans Crisis Line.
Additional ways to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line are by texting 838255, or via chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net. This site also includes additional information for veterans, family members and friends.
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Last modified: January 18, 2022