Supporting Veterans in Crisis
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The latest data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs states that 6,261 veterans died of suicide in 2019, or 17.2 veterans a day.
In this newsletter, we provide resources for veterans experiencing mental and behavioral health challenges and offer tools to help friends and family support a veteran in crisis. For a comprehensive list of mental health resources, visit our website.
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- If you or a veteran you know is in an emergency, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255
- Call 911 if someone you know is at immediate risk of hurting themselves and you are unable to intervene
- Mental health counselors are also available 24/7 at NYC Well. Call 1-888-NYC-Well, text "Well" to 651753, or chat with a counselor or peer
- Stop Soldier Suicide connects veterans with a Wellness Coordinator who provides personalized attention and develops wellness plans that are customized to address a veteran's specific needs.
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If you are a veteran who is struggling but you rather speak to someone who shares your experiences, the following resources offer peer support from fellow veterans:
- The Objective Zero app gives veterans access to mental health resources and a peer support network.
- Vets4Warriors provides veterans, family members, and caregivers with 24/7 help from a confidential peer support network. Receive immediate, free, and long-term peer support through private chats, emails, phone, and text conversations. Contact Vets4Warriors 24/7 at 1-855-838-8255.
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According to a recent study, more than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. A separate study found that 30% of completed veteran suicides were preceded by alcohol or drug use.
The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services connects veterans to substance abuse resources to ensure that those battling addiction can recover and live purpose-driven lives. For veterans in recovery, the following organizations offer online meetings and coaching:
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How to Help Veterans in Crisis
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Please note: If a veteran you know is in an emergency, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255.
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You can help prevent suicide by learning the warning signs. The following signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide:
- Talking about wanting to die or killing themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated, or behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
- Giving away possessions
- Saying goodbye to family and friends
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Provide Support to a Veteran in Crisis
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If you're concerned that a veteran you know is struggling, you can ask specific questions from the Columbia Protocol, an evidence-based screening tool designed to help you identify the risk of imminent self-harm. Find the right screening tool for those in your life:
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Provide Support to the Veteran Community
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For those looking to provide support to the veteran community, consider the following:
- Volunteer at Samaritans NYC's suicide prevention hotline
- Record a 15-30 second video for your social media networks promising your friends to listen to anything they need to say
- Volunteer with DVS's Mission: VetCheck program. VetCheck volunteers make supportive check-in calls to veterans to deliver information on vital public services. (Please note Mission: VetCheck is not a suicide prevention program but does make supportive calls to disconnected veterans who may be experiencing isolation.)
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Starting this December, all Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients will be required to verify their school attendance with the VA each month before receiving payments. Learn more.
For help with benefits, visit VetConnectNYC.org and select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service.
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Disability Career and Resource Fair
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In honor of the 31st anniversary of the ADA Act and National Disability Month, the New York Public Library will host a Virtual Disability Career and Resource Fair on Friday, October 22nd, 10 am - 2 pm.
The event will offer an excellent opportunity for veterans with disabilities to engage with potential employers in retail, stock, administration, records clerical, healthcare, security, law enforcement, government, and more. Register here.
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DVS Commissioner James Hendon delivered remarks at the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo and discussed how NYC is encouraging veteran entrepreneurship.
Do your part to support veteran business owners. You can find veteran-owned businesses in your neighborhood by visiting VetBizNYC.
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Commissioner Hendon also gave remarks to the New York Council Navy League of the United States on Tuesday, September 21st, and got to hear the winners of the 9/11 Memorial Contest for Young Creatives.
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On September 25th, DVS Assistant Commissioner of Community Affairs Amauri Espinal presented a Mayoral Proclamation to Blue Star Families to honor the work they do to support NYCs military families. Blue Star Families and Blue Star Families of New York are hosting Blue Star Welcome Week through October 3rd to help military families who have relocated to NYC feel a sense of belonging in their new community! Learn how you can get involved at bluestarwelcomeweek.org.
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Information on Booster Shots
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Booster Shots Eligibility
The following people are now eligible for a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine if they received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago:
- People 65 or older
- People 18 to 64 who either have an underlying medical condition or a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure due to their job (for example, health care workers) or where they live or frequently visit (for example, a homeless shelter)
- People living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
Please note: This shot is intended to help many people boost their immunity from the initial vaccination series, which may have decreased over time. You are only able to get a Pfizer booster shot if you received a second Pfizer dose at least six months ago.
How to Get a Booster Shot:
- Booster shots are available at City-run sites. Schedule an appointment here.
- If you are an eligible veteran 65 years or older, you can schedule an appointment for a Pfizer booster at VA NY Harbor by calling 1-877-877-9267.
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Get Your First Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine
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Please note: The following information applies to those who have yet to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:
Schedule Online:
You can schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692).
Walk-ins Welcome:
All New Yorkers can now get their COVID-19 vaccine by simply walking into any of the CIty's 11 public hospital locations! To find a walk-up vaccination site near you, click here.
Get Vaccinated at Home:
All New Yorkers can request an in-home vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine. Fill out this form to get started or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
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DVS Programs and Initiatives
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Get the Benefits You Deserve
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DVS represents NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC.org (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).
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DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to help deliver food to homebound veterans. We're also working to distribute HelloFresh meals to veteran families. Request food or learn how to volunteer to prepare meal kits by submitting your information to VetConnectNYC.
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Volunteering with Mission: VetCheck volunteers make check-in calls to veterans across NYC. Through these calls, volunteers provide veterans with information regarding vital public services, including free meals, information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, and mental health resources. Mission: VetCheck has placed over 33,485 calls to NYC veterans. To volunteer with Mission: VetCheck or request a check-in call, click here.
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Were you inspired to serve after 9/11? Are you a veteran who volunteered at Ground Zero. Did you help to support victims following the attacks? If so, we want to capture your story as part of our oral history initiative, the Veterans Voices Project. Learn how you can preserve your story here.
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Ending Veteran Homelessness
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Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.
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Veteran-Owned Business Map
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How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
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Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
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Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:
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Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
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LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
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DVS updated its website to help EVERY veteran find the services that are right for them. Whether you're a student, transitioning, woman, LGBT, or a senior veteran - nyc.gov/vets has what you need.
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