Background
The VA and the Ad Council have partnered together since 2021 on the national “Don’t Wait. Reach Out.”
campaign, an initiative working to end Veteran suicides by encouraging Veterans to reach out for help if they
are struggling. Together, VA and the Ad Council have developed a website at VA.gov/REACH, housing
resources to make it easy for Veterans to navigate the challenges they may be facing.

Veterans are at higher risk for suicide compared to the general population. The suicide rate among Veterans in
2021 was 71.8% higher than non-Veteran adults in the U.S., according to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide
Prevention Annual Report. Many events in life can cause stress including divorce, job loss, substance use or
housing troubles which can be risk factors for suicide. As Veterans navigate life’s challenges, they may
experience additional barriers to accessing support and resources. Things like fear of judgement, difficulties
accessing care, misconceptions about support, and other concerns can impact when and how Veterans reach
out for help.

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Posted – 9/13/2024