Crisis Text Line partners with Face the Fight to support the military community. If you’re a veteran, active duty service member, family member, or caregiver going through a tough time, help is just a text away. Text SERVE or SERVICIO to 741741 for 24/7, free, confidential and non-judgemental support in English and Spanish, because no one should face a mental health crisis alone.

Military community members often face unique mental health challenges, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, while also encountering barriers to accessing care. Crisis Text Line bridges this gap by providing mental health support—ensuring that veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers can access help anytime, anywhere, and confidentially.

Veteran suicide and military mental health remain critical public health concerns, according to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. While the report’s most recent data shows encouraging trends, with veteran suicide rates from 2001 to 2022 seeing long-term reduction, over 6,000 veterans still lost their lives in 2022 to suicide.

Signs a Veteran is Struggling with Their Mental Health

Addressing veterans’ mental health means recognizing the common risk factors for mental illness and suicide. There can be lasting impacts from the experience of military combat and the transition back to civilian life, so it’s important to understand the unique circumstances of each individual veteran, and to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of someone who is struggling and in need of support.  

Here are some of those characteristics and behaviors to look out for:

• Depression: Can present as persistent sadness, low energy, and a loss of interest in activities someone once loved.
• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder): A mental health condition in which an individual experiences flashbacks and intrusive thoughts related to past combat experiences which can be triggered by everyday occurrences.
• Self-Harm: A coping mechanism, in the form of self-injury, for an individual who is struggling emotionally including cutting, burning, and scratching. 
• Substance Use Disorder: The compulsive and addictive use of drugs and alcohol to cope with emotional or physical ailments, usually associated with the inability to control urges to use.
• Loneliness: Characterized by a deep sense of social isolation and lack of connection with others.

Early identification of these behaviors, whether in a loved one, a fellow service member, or even yourself, is critical in helping to address one’s mental health condition and reducing suicide risk. Crisis Text Line encourages individuals and family members within the military community seeking immediate, judgment-free, and confidential mental health support to simply text SERVE or SERVICIO to 741741 to reach a live volunteer Crisis Counselor.

The Intersection of Mental Health and Diverse Veteran Sub-Populations

Diverse veteran sub-populations (DVSPs) are minority groups within the military community including women, LGBTQ+, and racial/ethnic minorities. While it’s important to acknowledge that all veterans face the possibility of experiencing mental health issues, those within DVSPs often face higher risks due to various factors including disparities in care and cultural competency, mental health stigma, and cultural norms. 

There are higher rates of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders linked to veterans who identify as LGBTQ+ (National Library of Medicine); women veterans have a 92% higher suicide rate compared to nonveteran women (DAV Women Veterans); and in 2021, the highest suicide rate among veterans identified as American Indian or Alaska Native (2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report). These are just a few data points that reinforce the intersection that exists between mental health struggles and DVSPs. 

The unique challenges DVSPs face as it relates to mental well-being are further outlined here by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as resources available for each sub-population. Below we have provided some additional resources for DVSPs:

Resources for women:

• Foundation for Women Warriors
• Women Veterans Healthcare

Resources for the LGBTQ+ community: 

• Make the Connection
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Resources for the Latine community:

• Make the Connection
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Esposas Militares Hispanas
• Crisis Text Line: Text SERVICIO to 741741 any time for free, confidential mental health support in Spanish.

Crisis Text Line: A 24/7, Free, and Confidential Crisis and Mental Health Service for Veterans

We know how important it is to have accessible and confidential support in moments of crisis, stress, or uncertainty. Since we’re committed to protecting the privacy of our texters, anyone who reaches out to Crisis Text Line for mental health support can request to delete their conversation data by texting or messaging DELETE. 

For more information on our commitment to protect the anonymity of our texters and the privacy of each and every conversation, please visit our page outlining your digital rights and our privacy policy.

Crisis Text Line is dedicated to supporting military mental health and well-being for our veterans, active service members, military family members, and caregivers. We are just one text away from providing lifesaving support.  

Taking Action to Prevent Suicide and Depression in the Veteran Community

The Department of Veteran Affairs reports in its 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report that veteran depression and suicide rates have seen a long-term decline from 2001 to 2022, and we all play a part in ensuring this trend persists. Recognizing symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, and other mental health conditions, in ourselves and others, is the first step. Checking in on loved ones, communicating and asking questions, noting behavioral changes, and listening to others with empathy are just a few things you can do. Read more about how to help a friend who is suicidal or struggling emotionally.

Suicide prevention can be addressed more effectively the sooner symptoms of depression or other emotional struggles are detected and help is sought out. We encourage all veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers to act early by reaching out to Crisis Text Line before things escalate in order to help to prevent a crisis before it happens. 

It’s also important to remember that everyone’s journey and struggle with mental health and well-being is unique to the individual and can often include ups and downs. However, with Crisis Text Line’s support and resources, we believe that everyone can overcome their moments of crisis and gain the tools to manage them in the long run.

At Crisis Text Line, we’re proud to partner with Face the Fight to support veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers. We’re here to help you navigate mental health challenges, stay connected, and access the resources you need to care for your well-being.

If you or a loved one is going through a tough time, you can text SERVE or SERVICIO to 741741 for 24/7, free, and confidential support in English or Spanish.