The VA hospital in Tucson is hosting a suicide-prevention town hall for veterans, military service members and their families on Sept. 20.
September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The town hall will focus on mental-health issues and provide information about Veterans Administration and community support programs, said Luke Johnson, a spokesman for Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.
The event, which will also include a resource fair, is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the R.E. Lindsey Jr. Auditorium in Building 4. The hospital is at 3601 S. Sixth Ave. A free lunch will be provided.
According to the latest U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data, there were 211 veteran suicides in Arizona in 2015.
VA staff and representatives of community agencies will provide immediate assistance to those in need at the town hall, said Johnson. VA staffers will also answer questions or concerns on an individual basis.
Johnson said veterans experiencing a crisis can seek help at the hospital’s 24-hour emergency department or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, and press 1. To learn about the warning signs of suicide and to find resources, go to www.veteranscrisisline.net
Since 2007, the veterans crisis line has answered more than 3½ million calls, and initiated nearly 100,000 dispatches of emergency service nationwide, according to the website.
If a community organization working with veterans is interested in participating in the town hall, call Cara Gaukler at 792-1450, Ext. 4415.
Veterans can sign up to receive email updates at www.tucson.va.gov
