As the holiday season approaches, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System is urging veterans, families and community partners across coastal South Carolina and Georgia to check in on one another and reach out for help at the first signs of emotional distress.
National data shows suicide remains a serious public health crisis. In recent years, the suicide rate among veterans has been significantly higher than among nonveteran adults, underscoring the importance of proactive, coordinated prevention efforts.
“The holidays can be a beautiful time of year, but they can also be a very hard time of year, especially for veterans who feel alone, are missing comrades or loved ones, or are living with invisible wounds,” said Scott Isaacks, director and CEO of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. “Our message is simple: You are not alone, and you do not have to wait until you are in crisis to reach out for help.”
Holidays can intensify loneliness and grief
Suicide is complex; there is no single cause. A number of factors related to physical and mental health can increase or decrease the risk for suicide. VA mental health experts note that the holiday season may intensify stressors many veterans face throughout the year. Financial strain, social isolation, grief and loss, and memories of military service can all contribute to increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and substance use.
“For some veterans, the holidays highlight who is missing around the table,” said Dr. Jennifer Wray, suicide prevention coordinator at the Ralph H. Johnson VA. “Others feel pressure to ‘put on a happy face’ when inside they are struggling. We want veterans to know it is absolutely normal to feel this way, and that reaching out for support is a sign of strength.”
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System was recently recognized as one of South Carolina’s safest hospitals and received a Priority Award for Suicide Prevention from the South Carolina Hospital Association, reflecting its leadership in protecting veterans’ lives.
VA care saves lives
Many risk factors for suicide, such as psychiatric disorders, are treatable. Locally, the Ralph H. Johnson VA offers:
- Same-day access for urgent mental health needs
- Outpatient treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorders and other conditions
- Specialty services such as suicide risk assessment and safety planning, evidence-based psychotherapies and Whole Health approaches to stress management
- Support for families and caregivers who are worried about the veterans they love
“If you are a veteran, or you care about one, you never have to guess whether it is ‘serious enough’ to call. If you are thinking about it, contact us. That is exactly why we are here,” Wray said.
Veterans Crisis Line: Help is always available
Support is available for veterans and their loved ones any time of day or night, even when VA clinics are closed.
The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential and available 24/7:
- Dial 988, then press 1
- Text 838255
- Chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat
“If you are feeling overwhelmed, if you are drinking more than usual, if you feel numb or hopeless, or if you catch yourself thinking that others would be better off without you, that is the time to reach out,” Isaacks said. “One call, one text, one conversation can change the course of a life. We want that call to be to us.”