Suicide is a national, public health issue that affects all Americans, including Veterans, their families and their friends. However, if you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges and a greater sense of meaning or purpose.
Here are some suggestions to help you and those you care about to better manage the various life challenges that we all face:
- Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don’t feel like it, can make you feel better.
- Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through.
- Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions.
- It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities.
- Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress.
Being prepared can help save a life. Save the Veterans Crisis Line contact to your phone and encourage others to do the same.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available by phone (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1), text (838255), and chat 24/7, 365 days per year.