This page comes before everything else. In a crisis, use this page first. Use our books after everyone is safe.
EMERGENCY — life-threatening danger, violence, or medical emergency
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
VETERANS CRISIS LINE — suicide risk or emotional crisis, 24/7, free, veteran-specific
CALL 988, then PRESS 1
or TEXT 838255 • or chat at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net — responders are qualified, and many are veterans themselves.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE — for any family member, 24/7
CALL or TEXT 988
NATIONAL CALL CENTER FOR HOMELESS VETERANS — homeless or at risk, 24/7, free
CALL 877-424-3838
VA CAREGIVER SUPPORT LINE — for the family members carrying the load
1-855-260-3274
If a firearm is in the home during a mental health crisis, ask about temporary out-of-home storage or locking devices. Lethal-means safety is one of the strongest protective steps a family can take, and it is a core recommendation of the VA/DoD suicide-risk guideline.
Research base for this page: VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide (2024), healthquality.va.gov; Veterans Crisis Line, veteranscrisisline.net; National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 877-424-3838 — all verified live July 9, 2026. Our books are family-safe educational frameworks. They are not a substitute for emergency, medical, legal, or benefits advice.