Georgia veterans urged to use 988 mental health resources amid suicide concerns

Veterans in Georgia can receive mental health help by dialing 988, but many do not know about the resource, according to GPB News.

The Veterans’ Administration data shows that more than half of veterans who died by suicide in 2023 did not receive treatment for a mental illness and were not diagnosed in the last years of their life.

Suicide rates among veterans reached their highest level in 2023, and it is the second-leading cause of death among veterans age 45 and younger.

Rawle Andrews with the American Psychiatric Association Foundation said that the goal of the Mental Health Care Works campaign is to help veterans and their families to seek support and reduce stigma surrounding mental health care.

One resource that is confidential and that many veterans do not know about is the suicide help line.

“We want people to know if you call the 988 crisis helpline and press 1, you’re talking to a Georgia counselor who does understand the veteran situation in your state, and that’s critical,” Andrews said.

Georgia has a large veteran population, ranking eighth in the nation with 650,000 people who have served in the military.