Crisis Text Line, Face the Fight expand mental health support for veterans

Crisis Text Line and Face the Fight have launched a Military Community Mental Health Resource Guide and a text-based support line for veterans, service members, military families and caregivers. The effort aims to reduce barriers to care as veteran suicide remains a major public health concern.

Why it matters: - Veterans, active-duty service members, military families and caregivers now have a new free resource built around 24/7, confidential mental health support. - The partnership is aimed at reducing stigma and making help easier to reach for people who may face PTSD, depression, anxiety or the stress of transitioning to civilian life. - The launch comes as veteran suicide remains a critical issue, with the suicide rate 60% higher than the national average and suicide the second leading cause of death among veterans under 45.

What happened: - Crisis Text Line and Face the Fight joined forces to expand access to mental health resources for the military community. - The partnership was announced in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. - Military community members can text SERVE or SERVICIO to 741741 to connect with a live, trained volunteer Crisis Counselor in English or Spanish. - Crisis Text Line also launched a dedicated Military Community Mental Health Resource Guide.

The details: - The guide includes free mental health resources for veterans, service members and military families. - The guide includes information on recognizing signs that someone may be struggling. - The guide includes guidance on supporting a loved one experiencing emotional distress. - The guide includes personal stories from military community members and volunteer Crisis Counselors meant to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking. - Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential mental health support in English and Spanish through text. - The nonprofit says it has supported more than 12 million conversations in the United States and more than 17 million globally with partners in Canada, the UK and Ireland since launching in 2013. - People can also text HELLO to 741741 to reach a live volunteer Crisis Counselor. - More information is available at Crisis Text Line's Military Mental Health Resource Center. - Face the Fight is a national movement focused on dramatically reducing veteran suicide by 2032. - Face the Fight says it unites more than 300 cross-sector partners and was founded by USAA, Reach Resilience and the Humana Foundation.

Between the lines: - The partnership combines text-based crisis support with educational resources, which may help people who are reluctant to seek traditional care. - The focus on multilingual access and military-specific guidance suggests the effort is designed to reach people who may be overlooked by standard mental health services. - Face the Fight’s emphasis on collective action and a large partner network points to a broader strategy beyond a single hotline or campaign.

What's next: - Crisis Text Line and Face the Fight are positioning the guide and texting support as ongoing tools for the military community. - The organizations are encouraging veterans, service members and families to use the resource center when they need immediate support or information. - Face the Fight says its broader goal is to help reduce veteran suicide by 2032. - Crisis Text Line says people seeking immediate support can text SERVE, SERVICIO or HELLO to 741741.