More than 6,000 veterans take their own lives each year.
Now, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to help prevent suicides through phone calls to veterans transitioning into civilian life.
The VA is now calling each veteran at least three times in their first year after transitioning from the military to inform them about their VA benefits and the services available to improve mental health.
It’s part of the Solid Start program.
"I've had a few friends that have had a lot of issues,” Army veteran Jim Hall said. "Getting in trouble afterwards, having trouble holding a job, getting a job, drinking problems."
Earlier this month, a Senate committee heard testimony about the impact of healthcare services on veterans at risk of suicide.
"Suicide is a complex issue,” Matthew Miller, Acting Director of the Suicide Prevention Program for the VA, said. "Suicide rates have meaningfully decreased among veterans with a diagnosis of depression and who are engaged in recent VHA care."
The program is expected to reach about 200,000 veterans a year.
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