Veterans

Countless veterans suffer from service-related mental health disorders with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder being the most common. Many veterans face barriers to treatment for their mental health issues, including embarrassment, shame, long wait times to receive treatment, a lack of understanding of the problem or treatment options and stigma associated with mental health issues. These mental health issues, combined with the numerous barriers, put veterans at a high risk for suicide.

Many veterans may not show any signs of intent to harm themselves before doing so, but some actions can be a sign that a Veteran needs help.

Call for Help at 988 Horizontal

When You Should Call

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties as a Veteran and/or exhibiting any of the following warning signs, the Arkansas Crisis Center is here for you to provide emotional support and resources in your area. If someone is in immediate danger or you are unable to connect, please dial 9-1-1.

Warning signs:

  • Appearing sad or depressed most of the time.
  • Clinical depression- deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating that doesn’t go away or continues to get worse.
  • Feeling anxious, agitated or unable to sleep.
  • Neglecting personal welfare or deteriorating physical appearance.
  • Withdrawing from friends, family and society.
  • Sleeping all the time.
  • Losing interest in hobbies, work, school or other things one used to care about.
  • Frequent and dramatic mood changes.
  • Expressing feelings of excessive guilt or shame.
  • Feeling that life is not worth living/having no sense of purpose in life.
  • Feelings of failure or decreased performance.
  • Talk about feeling trapped or like there is no way out of a situation.
  • Having feelings of desperation or saying that there’s no solution to their problems.
  • Performing poorly at work or school.
  • Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities.
  • Showing violent behavior such as punching holes in walls, getting into fights or self-destructive violence.
  • Feeling rage, uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
  • Giving away prized possessions.
  • Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends and/or making out a will.
  • Seeking access to firearms, pills or other means of harming oneself.