Texas Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Veteran Suicides
Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), on behalf of the Office of the Governor, leads Texas’ efforts to carry out the National Strategy to Prevent Veteran Suicides (National Strategy). The Governor’s Challenge advances a public health approach to suicide prevention by bringing together stakeholders from across the state to identify actions and take steps to prevent Veteran suicides. The Governor’s Challenge team receives support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which includes technical assistance, consultation with subject matter experts, and sharing of best practices and innovations with other teams across the nation.
For more information about Veteran suicide prevention, please visit the VA’s website using this link.
If you, or a veteran you are concerned for, are in crisis please call the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255, press 1) or click the image, below.
Current and Previous Governor’s Challenge Participants
Current and prior Governor’s Challenge participants are listed. Many of these entities provide resources for veterans and their families, directly or indirectly.
- American Legion- Texas
- Catholic Charities of Central Texas
- City of Austin Mayor’s Office
- City of Houston Mayor’s Office
- Endeavors
- Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
- Office of the Attorney General
- Office of the Governor/Governor’s Committee to Support the Military
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations
- Texas Department of Agriculture/Office of Rural Health
If you are in immediate crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Soon, Texas will have the largest population of veterans in the nation. There is a wide range of behavioral health concerns that can affect veterans including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury.
Fortunately, there are many resources designed specifically to meet the needs of veterans coping with these difficulties.
For more information on veterans’ mental health, please call or visit:
- Veterans Crisis Chat.
- The Texas Veterans Portal connects veterans, their families, and caregivers to the benefits and services earned through their military service.
- TexVet.org for general information and resources for Texas veterans.
- Texas Veterans Commission works to advocate for and provide superior service to all Texas veterans.
- Texas Veterans Commission Resources.
- TexVet.org search to find local Texas counseling services by county.
- The Texas Veterans and Family Alliance Grant Program.
- Wounded Warrior Project.
- Report on Short-Term Action Plan to Prevent Veteran Suicides.
- Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention.
- The Texas Veterans Commission Grant Assistance information.
- The National Veterans Affairs website for general information and resources.
- The National Veterans Affairs Mental Health website.
- Military Veteran Peer Network.
- Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-VA-WOMEN.
- Help for Homeless Veterans: 877-4AID-VET, (877) 424-3838 or visit va.gov/homeless.
- Veterans Affairs site for mental health for LGBT+ Veterans.
- Veterans Affairs site for friends and family members of veterans.
- Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD)
- PREVENTS – The President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
- The Veterans Affairs Center for PTSD OR Call 1-800-273-8255 and press “1” if you are a Veteran OR chat online with a counselor.
- Veterans Affairs for information on VA programs and services designed specifically to treat veterans with TBI.
- No cost PTSD and TBI services for Veterans at Operation VetsHaven (info@operationvetshaven.org).