Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2025
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by Outside Contributor
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Two Resources Veterans Need To Know
Do you ever feel like you can’t keep up with all the change happening around you? It seems like as soon as you’re finally comfortable with something, the process is “updated” or “new and improved.” Whether it’s the way you navigate through TSA screening at the airport, or how you need quintuple factor authentication to login to your bank account. (** I made that up. I’ve never had to authenticate five times to access my bank account – at least not yet. **)
This month’s column is all about change. Change for the better. Hopefully change that is “new and improved” for our Veteran community.
Veterans Crisis Line # and Improved Patient Check-In
The Veterans Crisis Line has a (not so) new number. In July 2022, the Veterans Crisis Line changed to Dial 988 then Press 1.
Do me a favor and get your mobile phone right now. I’ll wait.
Still waiting.
Open your contacts, and add a new entry:
Name (or Company): Veterans Crisis Line
Phone #: 988
Notes: Veterans Crisis Line; Dial 988 then Press 1
To go next level, take a screenshot of the graphic in this column and make that the image for your contact.
But don’t add this contact for me. Do it for your Veteran coworker who may need it sometime in the future. Do it for that friend-of-a-friend who may not know how to help someone in a mental health situation.
Suicide prevention is a critical need in the United States. It continually ranks in the top ten leading causes of death. The COVID-19 pandemic a few years back, the back-and-forth political infighting, the economic uncertainty. They all take a toll on our mental health and if we don’t have a core group of friends to share our burdens, it makes life difficult. This 988 phone number makes it easier to get the help anyone needs – not just Veterans.
This change was a result of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, which required all telephone service providers in the U.S. to activate 988 by July 16, 2022, for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline). Because VA administers the Veterans Crisis Line through the Lifeline’s national network, the Veterans Crisis Line was affected by this transition.
The new, shorter number directly addresses the need for ease of access and clarity in times of crisis, both for Veterans and non-veterans alike. Although the number changed, the Veterans Crisis Line dedicated service remained the same. Veterans can reach caring, qualified supporters 24/7, 365 days a year for confidential crisis support.
Veterans may also use the chat functions online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255 to reach supporters.
Improved Patient Check-In. Veterans who receive their health care at a VA facility should also know about the patient check-in process that allows them to check in on the day of an appointment from their smartphone. This tool is active at all VA health care facilities. I’ve used it and it’s a seamless process. Just look for the sign(s) near the entrance to the VA facility where you receive your health care.
Additionally, Veterans can access pre-check-in, a method for Veterans to verify demographic information (e.g. contact, emergency contact, next-of-kin information, etc.) after confirming an appointment.
If a Veteran doesn’t have a smartphone or just wants to check in the way they have in the past, they will always have the option to check in for an appointment with a staff member – and even ask them a question about the new mobile check-in process.
This improved patient check-in is yet another way VA is modernizing its health care system and improve the Veteran experience. It’s optional, simple and efficient. If you want more details, visit: https://www.va.gov/resources/how-to-check-in-with-your-smartphone-for-some-va-appointments/.
These updates at VA are not necessarily new, but I certainly hope they are improved for our Veterans. I can’t say the same about the new inflation numbers, cryptocurrency, the 4-day work week, or all the realignment in college sports. But regardless of the change, VA is dedicated to modernizing and make improvements to better serve our Veteran community.
Thanks for allowing me to walk alongside you behind friendly lines.
Victory!
Read full article here
