Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ad Council partnered to create “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.”—a national campaign that encourages struggling Veterans to seek help for their life challenges before they reach a crisis point. “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.” is a multiyear campaign, and the theme for Suicide Prevention Month 2022! We’re proud to continue to share powerful new PSAs as part of the ongoing national campaign with the Ad Council.
Our newest PSA, released 9/8/22, was developed with older Veterans in mind. Currently, Veterans aged 55 and over comprise the majority of all Veterans. Older Veterans who are struggling with life challenges—such as issues with housing, finances, relationships or health—are less likely than younger Veterans to reach out for help and may not believe they qualify for support after so many years since they served.
In addition to showing how Veterans can lean on one another, the PSA also highlights the resources available at VA.gov/REACH. We hope you’ll join us in sharing this important message with your own networks and communities. Below, you can find suggested social media copy and links to help spread the word by highlighting this latest PSA.
We invite you to visit the online toolkit for Suicide Prevention Month, the hub of shareable materials for both internal and external audiences: Spread the Word (https://www.va.gov/REACH/spread-the-word). This toolkit contains talking points with FAQs, newsletter/email content, and all of the downloadable materials for Suicide Prevention Month and beyond.
Thank you for joining us in encouraging Veterans get the support they need before they reach a crisis point.
Sincerely,
Matthew A. Miller, PhD, MPH
Executive Director, National VA Suicide Prevention
Acting Executive Director, PREVENTS
Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Executive Assistant: Kasey Boyd-Smith (kasey.boyd-smith@va.gov)