Veterans Suicide Prevention counselors available to chat

National Suicide Prevention Week is this week and veterans in crisis can take advantage of a telephone hotline and an internet chat service in place for former servicemembers.

The VA has coordinated a special "one-to-one chat service for veterans" who want to reach out over the internet to get help. A trained VA counselor will be available to talk to veterans who initiate a conversation. If the veteran is deemed to be a suicide risk, the counselor will refer the veteran to a hotline where he or she can get more assistance.

Click here to reach a trained counselor to chat with if you are in emotional distress or call 1-800-273-TALK.

According to an investigation on veterans and suicide conducted in 2007 by CBS, veterans aged 20 through 24, that have served during the war on terror have the highest suicide rate among all veterans, and a rate two-four times higher than their civilian counterparts.