Protect our vets. It matters.
At the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit, we help all different kinds of people with mental health issues and substance use problems. We see people get better every day. There is hope. We know sometimes being stressed and having problems with substance use can lead to thoughts of suicide. That’s when you can reach out. There are many resources for help.
SAVE — Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage Help
Here’s a quick look at how to keep our vets safe from suicide – and to thank them for keeping us safe.
Signs
know the signs and risk factors for suicide including:
- Having a prior suicide attempt
- Having mental health issues, showing different emotions
- Having stressful things happen
- Having a lethal way to commit suicide (for example, owning a gun)
- It matters to notice these things
Ask
get comfortable asking someone you love about suicide if you are worried about them. You can say:
- Have you thought about suicide?
- Are you thinking about suicide?
- Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
- It matters to show you care by asking.
Validate
Support someone by simply telling them you understand. You can say things like:
- I can see you are hurting.
- I have hurt before too.
- It will get better.
- I will help you.
- It matters to simply express you understand.
Encourage Help
- Provide concrete ways to get help (see below)
- Call hotline together
- Help connect with mental health services
- Follow up and see if they followed through
- It matters that you continue to show support
Crisis Services
All veterans and their friends and families, no matter if service-connected, can access crisis services below:
Veteran’s Crisis Line
24/7/365
1-800-273-8255, Press 1
UAMS Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit
24/7/365 Crisis Stabilization Services
501-340-6646
The Centers (local community mental health center)
501-666-8686