Call 911
Active harm, weapon, overdose, violence, medical emergency, or responders needed now.
Call 911Veteran crisis help
Need help now?
Choose the closest match. If someone may be hurt now, start with 911 or the nearest emergency room.
Call 988, Press 1
Suicidal thoughts, PTSD spiral, panic, emotional crisis, or not sure what to do.
Call 988, then Press 1Text 838255
When talking is hard, unsafe, or not possible. Veterans Crisis Line chat is also available.
Military Crisis Line
Stateside: call 988, then Press 1. Overseas: use the command-area number for your location or use online chat.
View Military OptionsChoose by urgency.
Immediate danger: call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Crisis support: call 988 and Press 1.
Cannot talk safely: text 838255 or use Veterans Crisis Line chat.
You can call for someone else.
Tell 988 or emergency responders that the person is a Veteran, where they are, what you are seeing, and whether weapons, pills, alcohol, or drugs may be involved.
Official Veterans Crisis Line guidance
What the Veterans Crisis Line says to expect.
This section summarizes official Veterans Crisis Line guidance so Veterans, family members, and responders can act quickly without hunting through multiple pages.
When talking is hard
Veterans Crisis Line chat is available 24/7. A VA responder joins the chat, asks safety questions, listens, and can help connect the person to next-step resources.
Act immediately on danger signs
Immediate danger signs include thoughts of self-harm, searching for a way to die, talking about suicide, or self-destructive behavior involving weapons, drugs, or other risks.
Warning signs can include hopelessness, major mood changes, withdrawal, rage, increased alcohol or drug misuse, giving away possessions, or getting final affairs in order.
Be calm, direct, and present
You do not need to be an expert. Stay calm, listen more than you speak, avoid judgment, and ask directly if the person is thinking about suicide.
Veterans and loved ones can use the Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans, service members, Guard and Reserve members, family, and friends can use the Veterans Crisis Line even if the Veteran is not enrolled in VA health care or VA benefits.
Stateside and overseas options
The Military Crisis Line is free, confidential, available 24/7/365, and staffed by trained counselors. Inside the United States, Canada, or Mexico, dial 988 and Press 1.
View overseas phone numbers
NORTHCOMUnited States, Canada, Mexico988 then Press 1
PACOMPacific area+1 844-702-5493DSN 988 on base
EUCOMEurope area+1 844-702-5495DSN 988 on base
CENTCOMCentral Command area+1 855-422-7719DSN 988 on base
AFRICOMAfrica Command area+1 888-482-6054DSN 988 on base
SOUTHCOMSouth America area+1 866-989-9599DSN 988 on base
Read overseas calling notes
The country code to reach the United States may be required, depending on your location.
If you are outside the United States, Canada, or Mexico and calling off base, your carrier may charge long-distance or international fees, even when the number appears toll-free.
If phone dialing does not work, use Veterans Crisis Line chat. Texting 838255 from overseas generally requires a U.S.-based service provider and an international plan that supports U.S. short codes.
If you are unsure whether your plan supports international calls or U.S. short-code texting, contact your service provider.
Find care after the immediate danger
After safety is addressed, use local VA resources, the National Resource Directory, SAMHSA treatment search, or VA facility lookup for continuing care and support.
National Center for PTSD
VA's National Center for PTSD has education for Veterans, families, providers, and responders, including PTSD basics, treatment information, coping tools, mobile apps, videos, and clinical consultation resources.
Help others save the number
VA and the Veterans Crisis Line publish approved posters, wallet cards, social graphics, newsletters, and logo materials that can be shared by organizations and communities.
Private stress and depression screening
If someone is not in immediate danger but may be sliding toward crisis, the anonymous Vet Self-Check can help them decide whether extra support may be needed.
Help Center
Open Crisis FAQ
Crisis questions and next steps
Open the VA Companion Help Center filtered to crisis topics, including when to use 911 or 988, what loved ones can say, and what to tell responders.
Script builder
I do not know what to say.
Pick the situation and copy the short script. Edit it with the facts you know.
Emergency care search
Find nearby ERs and hospitals
Use this for planning or transport decisions. If life or health may be in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room first.
VA and Vet Center follow-up after safety is addressed
Do not delay emergency care to find a VA location. After the immediate risk is handled, use official VA and Veterans Crisis Line locator tools for suicide prevention coordinators, VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, Vet Centers, and VBA offices.
Enter a ZIP code and distance to open the official Veterans Crisis Line local-resource results in a new tab.
Guides
What to do next.
Family and loved ones
1. Decide urgency. Call 911 for immediate danger. Call 988 and Press 1 if you need crisis guidance.
2. Stay connected. If safe, stay nearby or keep the Veteran on the phone.
3. Share facts. Tell responders the person is a Veteran, their location, medical concerns, and whether weapons, medications, alcohol, or drugs may be involved.
First responders
Ask Veteran status. Confirm military service and whether VA care is already established.
Keep language direct. Reduce crowding when possible and ask plainly about suicide risk.
Bridge to care. Coordinate with 988 Press 1, local crisis teams, ER triage, or VA resources when appropriate.
Emergency holds
Know local terms. "5150" is California-specific. Other states use different emergency evaluation terms and rules.
Know local rules. Emergency evaluation laws are state-specific and can affect medical, legal, and safety decisions.
Use for safety. Emergency intervention should be used when safety requires it, not as a threat or punishment.
Call responders. If there is immediate danger, call local emergency responders now.
Official resources