VA Highlights Caregiver Well-Being as Part of Veteran Suicide Prevention

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging people who support Veterans through difficult periods to look after their own well-being, describing caregiver health as part of suicide prevention, according to an Oct. 13 article from the VA's Office of Suicide Prevention.

The VA said caregivers can take on the stress and secondhand trauma of the people they support, which is sometimes called caregiver burnout. Signs listed by the department include persistent exhaustion, pulling away from friends, snapping at loved ones and losing interest in activities that once brought joy.

The department pointed to several resources. According to the VA, Vet Centers offer free, confidential counseling for eligible Veterans, service members, families and supporters. Eligible caregivers can also receive mentoring, training, respite and other services through the VA Caregiver Support Program. The VA also cited its Caregiver Toolkit, the Make the Connection website and the Safety Plan app. The department said the app helps Veterans identify warning signs, coping strategies and trusted contacts, and that caregivers can use it for their own mental health.

The VA said the Veterans Crisis Line is available to caregivers 24 hours a day and is confidential. It can be reached by dialing 988 and pressing 1, chatting at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or texting 838255. The department said callers do not need to be enrolled in VA health care.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/92