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		988: The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
 988: The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline You can call or text 988or chat 988lifeline.org for yourself or if you're worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be: Thoughts of suicide.
    Mental health or substance use crisis.
    Any other kind of emotion distress. To get help from the Military and Veterans Crisis Line outside the continental U.S. call: Europe: 844-702-5495 or DSN 988
    Pacific: 844-702-5493 or DSN 988
    Southwest Asia: 855-422-7719 or DSN 988
 We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
 Learn More 988: A Lifeline for Mental Health Crisis Response MHS Mental Health Hub Suicide Prevention Department of Defense Suicide Event Report
 Check out other Spotlight Items
 Frequently Asked Questions about 988  Is 988 only for a suicide-related crisis? The Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with trained crisis counselors.
 What happens when I chat via 988? Chat is available in both English and Spanish through the 988 Lifeline’s website at 988lifeline.org/chat. People seeking chat services are provided with a pre-chat survey before connecting with a trained crisis counselor, who identifies the main area of concern. If there is a wait to chat with a crisis counselor, a wait-time message will appear. If demand is high, people can access the 988 Lifeline’s “helpful resources” while waiting. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful.
 What happens if I text 988? When someone texts 988, they are responded to by a group of 988 Lifeline crisis centers that answer both chats and texts. This service is currently expanding to increase local and state-level response. Once you are connected, a trained crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful. Texting is available in both English and Spanish.
 Does calling/texting/chatting the 988 Lifeline really help? Yes, the Lifeline works. Numerous studies have shown that most Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to a Lifeline crisis counselor. Almost 98% of people who call, chat or text the 988 Lifeline get the crisis support they need and do not require additional services in that moment. The 988 Lifeline crisis counselors are trained to help reduce the intensity of a situation for the person seeking help, and connect them to additional local resources, as needed, to support their wellbeing.
 Learn More About the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Suicide can touch anyone, anywhere, and at any time. But it is preventable and there is hope. Find more suicide prevention resources from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: For more frequently asked questions, visit the 988 FAQ webpage.
    Find data and more information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Military Health System Resources The Military Health System also has many resources available to help service members, families, or veterans who are struggling with mental health challenges. Find MHS Mental Health Resources
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    Apr 11, 2024
    New Department of the Air Force Mental Health Overview Clarifies Mental Health Resources for Airmen, Guardians            
    Lt. Col. Eric Meyer, Deputy Director of Psychological Health and Psychiatry Consultant to the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, and Col. Christian Smith, Air Force Director of Psychological Health, introduced the “Mental Health Overview” at the annual Mental Health Flight Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, on March 6, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Joshua Barriga)
            Department of the Air Force mental health leaders published a new "Mental Health Overview" that outlines comprehensive resources for Airmen and Guardians seeking mental health support.
    
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    The Intrepid Voices Newsletter March 2024            
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    Mar 12, 2024
    Suicide and TBI Research Review            
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            This research review provides an overview of the state of the science regarding comorbid traumatic brain injury and suicide, as well as suicide attempts, with a focus on military personnel.
    
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    Mar 4, 2024
    Talk Isn’t Cheap: Talk Therapy is Highly Valuable in Trauma Treatment            
    Research has consistently shown the most effective approach in the treatment of trauma is actually talk therapy
            Research has consistently shown the most effective approach in the treatment of trauma is actually talk therapy.
    
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    Feb 27, 2024
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    Feb 9, 2024
    Service Members to Be Surveyed About Health Behaviors            
    Service Members to Be Surveyed About Health Behaviors
            The Department of Defense is fielding the 2024 Health Related Behaviors Survey to nearly 250,000 randomly selected active duty service members. This year’s survey includes questions addressing mental and physical health, substance use, and other health topics related to service member readiness.
    
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    Feb 9, 2024
    Mild TBI and Suicide Clinical Pearls            
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            The clinical pearls are a concise one-page document that serves as a quick reference for military clinicians treating service members with a mild TBI who may present with suicidal ideation.
    
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    Feb 8, 2024
    Military Health System Mental Health Hub            
    The Military Health System has many resources available to help service members, families, or veterans who are struggling with mental health challenges. Topic
    Feb 5, 2024
    Suicide Prevention            
    Being in the military can be stressful for service members and their families. Everyone reacts to stress and traumatic experiences differently, and some may feel angry or isolated while they are dealing with difficult circumstances. These reactions can be common responses to life events. However, for some, these feelings may be signs of more serious ... Topic
    Feb 5, 2024
    988: A Lifeline for Mental Health Crisis Response            
    As a behavioral health provider, service member or veteran with lived experience, or a concerned family member, you may have experienced crisis care that exacerbated rather than eased emotional distress. An individual in acute suicidal crisis may receive only custodial care in an emergency department while waiting hours to days for an inpatient mental ... Article Around MHS
    Jan 26, 2024
    Conquering Winter Blues: A Personal Triumph            
    U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kaitlin Castillo, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs journeyman, poses for a portrait illustrating seasonal affective disorder at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 17, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Senior Airman Kaitlin Castilo)
            When the hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins to slow, a silent snowfall signals the start of another isolated winter night. This is sometimes known as seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder.
    
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    Jan 23, 2024
    For Service Members, Access to Mental Health Care Streamlined Under Brandon Act            
    Within the DOD and military services, the Brandon Act allows service members to request a mental health evaluation just by making the request to their supervisor.  (graphic courtesy of DHA)
            Last year, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness signed policy implementing within the Defense Department and across the military services the requirements laid out under the Brandon Act.
    
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    Jan 12, 2024
    Love, Death, and Regrowth            
    U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alex Briley, a perianesthesia technician assigned to the 673d Surgical Operations Squadron, poses for a portrait at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Briley uses her personal experiences to help advocate for improved mental health, suicide awareness, and resilience amongst service members. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Patrick Sullivan)
            U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alex Briley met the love of her life shortly after arriving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, her first duty station. After her husband died by suicide, her path to wellness wasn’t a quick or easy one, but she was able to find support in the people and resources around her.
    
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    Jan 11, 2024
    Mental Health Is Health: Depression and Oral Health            
    Mental Health Is Health: Depression and Oral Health
            Depression can cause you to neglect your oral health if you aren’t able to motivate yourself to do daily tasks like brushing your teeth and flossing. See how TRICARE can help your mental and oral health.
    
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    Jan 8, 2024
    Military Mental Health and Building Resilience in 2023            
    Military Mental Health and Building Resilience in 2023
            Mental health access and stigma reduction were a major theme for 2023 in the Military Health System: The Year in Review.
    
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