Safety Resources
ASCEND Safety Resources
If you do not feel that you can keep yourself safe or otherwise need immediate medical or mental health attention, please contact 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.
If you are distressed or need to speak to someone:
- Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1 at the prompt or text 838-255. Confidential chat is also available at VeteransCrisisLine.net [Available 24/7].
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and confidential by calling or texting 988 or going to https://988lifeline.org/chat [Available 24/7]. A Spanish Language line is also available by pressing 2. Additionally, more than 240 languages are supported through a Tele-Interpreters service. Callers also have the option of “pressing 3” to be connected to a crisis counselor trained in supporting LGBTQI+ callers.
For additional resources and support, consider reaching out to your local VA facility, which can provide a variety of services. Find the nearest VA facility or Vet Center by visiting: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
Vet Centers are community-based centers that provide social and psychological services to eligible Veterans, service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Counseling is offered to help with the transition from military to civilian life and in relation to traumatic events experienced in the military (including military sexual trauma). Individual, group, and marriage/family counseling are also available. For information about accessing care at Vet Centers, visit https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/ or call 1-877-927-8387 [Available 24/7].
Free health-related mobile apps are also available for Veterans at: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/mobile-apps/
Additional resources available to Veterans and their families are listed below:
Resource
Website and Additional Contact Information
Mental Health for Veterans
Mental Health for Veterans and families
https://www.nami.org/help/
1-800-950-NAMI (6264) [Available Monday-Friday, 10AM-6PM ET]
Information about PTSD
Substance use treatment for Veterans and families
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline/
1-800‐662‐HELP (4357) [Available 24/7]
VA care for women Veterans
https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/
1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636) [Available Monday-Friday, 8AM-10PM ET; Saturday, 8AM-6:30PM ET]
VA homeless service for Veterans
https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/NationalCallCenter.asp
1-877-4AIDVET (424-3838) [Available 24/7]
Intimate partner violence for Veterans
Intimate partner violence for Veterans and families
https://www.thehotline.org/
1-800-799-7233 [Available 24/7]
Confidential chat is also available on the website.
Military sexual trauma for Veterans
Support and referral for treatment for sexual assault or abuse for Veterans and families
https://rainn.org/
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) [Available 24/7]
Confidential chat is also available on the website.
For questions, please email the ASCEND research team ASCEND@norc.org or call 877-324-6187.
COMIRB # 20-0719 / PI: Hoffmire / 6/6/2024
Last Updated 3 December 2024