Veterans now have around the clock access to professional mental health workers through the VA's National Suicide Hot Line. Soon every VA appointment card will have the Hot Line number printed on it: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Hot Line is staffed in Canandaigua, NY and has contacts throughout the country to be able to respond to patients in crisis and to link them with local Mental Health Services.

Since the Hotline was initiated in August 2007, over 3,857 calls have been received. More than 1,033 of the callers identified themselves as veterans, 287 referrals were made to local Suicide Prevention Coordinators at VA Medical Centers, and 45 emergency rescues have saved lives and prevented suicides.