El Paso VA Looks to Improve Suicide Prevention Services for Vets

How in the world are our veterans not the most taken care of people in this country? Why is this even an issue? If you ever wonder about how poorly our veterans are treated, just watch Five Finger Death Punch's video for Wrong Side of Heaven.

There's a new partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and OnStar's emergency service that is designed to help improve veteran's access to suicide prevention resources. The partnership is going to make it so veterans to have access to around-the-clock help linked through the OnStar network linked to OnStar enabled cars and the OnStar guardian smartphone app.

El Paso VA suicide prevention social worker Elisa Barron said:

Nationally the VA has began a partnership with OnStar to facilitate better suicide prevention efforts and provide around the clock confidential support.

On average, 20 veterans take their won lives every day. Every day. Let that sink in. Barron added:

I think we will help veterans locally because it provides that direct access. They won’t have to worry about dialing a phone number and they can be automatically connected with a crisis line responder who can then address whatever distress or crisis they may be having at that time.

There are help lines and resources to use if you or anyone you know is feeling suicidal. For veterans, there's the Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255. You can also text 838255. For the deaf or difficult of hearing you can call 1-800-799-4889.

If you aren't a veteran and need help you can head to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by CLICKING HERE.