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24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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VA NJ Mental Health Services

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VA New Jersey health care operates a comprehensive behavioral health program. We are a regional center of excellence for Veteran-focused mental health care. Ask us about treatment options suited to your unique needs.

Care we provide at VA New Jersey health care

The Behavioral Health Department offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including telehealth appointments. We provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a variety of issues impacting emotional well-being. Our services include:

Psychiatry

Psychology

Homeless Veterans services

Suicide Prevention services

Treatment for addictive disorders, including residential rehabilitation treatment programs

Transition and care management for returning Veterans (M2VA Post 9/11 Case Management)

Confidentiality

Mental health services are confidential. We will not talk to anyone about information you share unless you give written consent. Under federal law, a few exceptions to this rule exist. If you have questions, please ask your mental health provider.

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VA New Jersey health care operates a comprehensive behavioral health program. We are a regional center of excellence for Veteran-focused mental health care. Ask us about treatment options suited to your unique needs. The Behavioral Health Department offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including telehealth appointments.

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If you're a Veteran who is thinking of hurting yourself, you feel like you want to die, or you know a Veteran who's considering this-we can help. Our VA New Jersey health care suicide prevention coordinators can get you the support you need. They work with our behavioral health providers and community organizations to assist Veterans who are managing emotional or mental health crises.

Suicide prevention coordinators

Our Suicide Prevention Coordinators (SPC) promote awareness about suicide and that suicide prevention is everyone's responsibility in our New Jersey healthcare system. SPC's provide suicide prevention training to all VA employees and are also available to provide trainings to veteran's groups, community agencies, and other veteran-centered partners. They help identify high-risk Veterans, and assure that care and monitoring for these Veterans is appropriate. SPC's also receive consults from the Veterans Crisis Line and follow-up to assure that Veterans continue to receive appropriate care.

Suicide prevention case managers

Our suicide prevention case managers provide case management services to veterans who are at increased risk for suicide. Case managers also follow up on calls made to the Veterans Crisis Line. Support is provided to other New Jersey health care staff by offering assessments, evaluations for high risk patients, safety planning, as well as support when interacting with patients experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Community engagement and partnership coordinators

Our Suicide Prevention Community Engagement & Partnerships Coordinators (CEPC) serve as content matter experts for community-based suicide prevention initiatives and help with suicide prevention education throughout the community. CEPC's build community-led coalitions that focus on suicide prevention and education. They can speak to your organization about Suicide Prevention, provide free suicide prevention resources, and training opportunities.

Common questions

Here are some common questions we get about Suicide Prevention here at VANJHCS. Reach out to a Suicide Prevention team member if you'd like to know more about what we do!

Accessing mental health care when you need it is important. If you are not enrolled for healthcare at VA, you have options which include dialing 9-1-1 or making a call to the Veterans Crisis Line ( 988, press 1) if you are in crisis. You can also present to one of our VA Medical Centers to speak with someone about ongoing help. Once your concerns are addressed, we'll work to help you receive continued services.

Vet Centers are also a great option for non-emergent mental health needs.

You can enroll for VA Healthcare or check your eligibility status by completing our Application for Health Benefits located here.

Yes! Just ask a member of our Suicide Prevention team. There is no cost for a gun lock and no stigma connected with asking for one for you or a family member.

A safe home environment can buy you, or someone you care about, time to get help. Contrary to popular belief, people who are suicidal don't generally seek other ways to attempt suicide if they can't access the method they planned to use. Nor will they attempt suicide if safeguards are in place making the method more difficult.

Check out the VA Lethal Means Safety page for more info about this.

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If you're a Veteran who is thinking of hurting yourself, you feel like you want to die, or you know a Veteran who's considering this-we can help. Our VA New Jersey health care suicide prevention coordinators can get you the support you need.

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Register For VA Healthcare Services

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Register to get care at one of our VA New Jersey health care facilities. Not yet enrolled in VA health care? We can help you apply in person or get started online.

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VA NJ Health Care Locations

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Locations | VA New Jersey health care | Veterans Affairs

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VA New Jersey Healthcare System locations, address, hours of operations, and health care services provided.

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VA Benefits for Families

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VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers

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Learn about VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers of Veterans and service members.

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VA Rocky Mountain Suicide Research Center

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Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention - Home

We are a leading research, education and clinical center on Veteran suicide prevention. Visit our About Us page to learn more about our mission and meet our team.

Rocky Mountain MIRECC Mailing List

Our mailing list will be available soon to receive updates about our work, educational opportunities and more. View the latest edition of our newsletter here.

Our Treatment Works for Veterans website and provider portal are currently down to be reconstructed and moved to a new URL ( www.mirecc.va.gov/treatmentworksforvets/). In the meantime, we invite you to visit the following pages for resources and information.
- https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/ptsd_treatment_works.asp

Our center consists of several teams that work together towards preventing suicide. Learn more about our Research, Education and Clinical Cores below.

To sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine from VA, visit VA's vaccine information page.

For questions about how COVID-19 may affect your VA health care and benefit services, visit our coronavirus FAQs or read VA's public health response.

Last Updated 11 May 2022

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We are a leading research, education and clinical center on Veteran suicide prevention. Visit our About Us page to learn more about our mission and meet our team. Rocky Mountain MIRECC Mailing List Our mailing list will be available soon to receive updates about our work, educational opportunities and more.

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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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Learn about suicide, how you can help prevent it, and resources for those affected, from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Our mission: save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide

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Providing care for Veterans at risk of suicide may feel like a daunting responsibility. Why worry alone? The Rocky Mountain MIRECC offers free, one-on-one consultation for any provider (community as well as VA) who works with Veterans. Visit the SRM website to learn more and access our lecture series with free CEUs.
Tools + Support + Evidence-based Knowledge = Better Outcomes

The VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for Patients at Risk for Suicide uses evidence-based information to guide health care providers in screening, treatment and case management. This user-friendly website shares the twenty-two recommendations and accompanying resources in a centralized hub for easy access by mental health professionals. Visit our CPG website to learn more and to access our CPG webinars with free CEUs.

The Rocky Mountain MIRECC model of Therapeutic Risk Management with Patients at Risk for Suicide is a clinically and medicolegally informed model for suicide risk assessment and management. Our Risk Stratification Table is a helpful tool designed to help providers accurately stratify risk and identify associated risk mitigation strategies. To order free copies for your team, visit our online order form .

Lethal means safety aims to increase the time and distance between someone with suicidal intent and lethal means. Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp objects) that can be used to engage in Suicidal Self-Directed Violence, including suicide attempts. Facilitating lethal means safety is an essential component of effective suicide prevention. Visit the Lethal Means Safety website to learn more.

Losing someone to suicide can be a tremendously painful experience. The Rocky Mountain MIRECC (in partnership with the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention), has developed a website for suicide postvention that provides information, suggestions, and best practices to help you or another individual process suicide loss. Visit the USPV website to learn more.

In response to the lack of a universally agreed upon definition of suicide and associated terms, the Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a common language, or a nomenclature, related to self-directed violence. Learn more on our SDV Classification and Nomenclature website.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern. This toolkit provides mental health clinicians necessary information to address the needs of Veterans/Military Personnel with a history of TBI and co-occurring mental health conditions. Use this online toolkit.

If there has been a recent suicide attempt in your or your patient's family, this may be one of the toughest experiences you, your patient, and their children may ever face. This guide is intended to provide support and share developmentally appropriate language for talking with kids, as well as, sharing resources as the family starts their recovery journey. Learn more by visiting our T2K website.

Contact Information

Colorado

Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC (RMR VAMC)
1700 N Wheeling St, BLDG A2
Aurora, CO 80045
720-723-6493
RockyMountainMIRECC@va.gov

Utah

VA Salt Lake City Health Care System
500 Foothill DR
Salt Lake City, UT 84148
801-582-1565 x2821

Last Updated 19 July 2023

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Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you've earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member-like health care, disability, education, and more.

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VA Lethal Means Safety Website

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Firearm Suicide Prevention & Lethal Means Safety

Safe Storage: From One Veteran to Another

Practice Safe Storage of Firearms, Medication & Other Lethal Means

Lethal means are objects like guns, medications, alcohol, opioids or other substances, ropes, cords, or sharp objects that can be used during a suicidal crisis. If a Veteran is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, these items can become deadly when they are easily accessible. For example, nearly 7 out of every 10 Veteran deaths by suicide are the result of firearm injuries (Dept. of Veteran Affairs, 2018).

Increasing the time and distance between someone in a suicidal crisis and access to lethal means can reduce suicide risk and save lives. There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. On this page, you'll find:

How to identify and handle a suicidal crisis

Helpful tips for storing guns, medications, and other lethal means

Additional resources about safe storage

How to Identify and Handle a Suicidal Crisis

First, Veterans in crisis may show behaviors that indicate high risk of self-harm. Signs of a suicidal crisis can vary for each person, but could include:

Changes in mood and activities

An increase in alcohol or drug use

Expressions of hopelessness or agitation

Engaging in risky activities without thinking

Withdrawing from family and friends

Remember: All Veterans are different, and just because a Veteran owns a gun or takes medication doesn't mean they will become suicidal. But knowing these warning signs could help save the life of a Veteran in crisis.

Tips on Safe Storage

A safe home environment can buy you, or someone you care about, time to get help. Contrary to popular belief, people who are suicidal don't generally seek other ways to attempt suicide if they can't access the method they planned to use. Nor will they attempt suicide if safeguards are in place making the method more difficult.

It's important to keep in mind: During a crisis, remove any household items that could be used to harm oneself.

More Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Support for Survivors of a Suicide Attempt or a Suicide Loss

As you support the Veteran in your life, VA is here to support you. If you are seeking answers following an attempted suicide or the loss of a loved one by suicide, please see the resources and information on the Coping & Support page to find help as you navigate this process.

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Lethal means are objects like guns, medications, alcohol, opioids or other substances, ropes, cords, or sharp objects that can be used during a suicidal crisis. If a Veteran is in crisis or having suicidal thoughts, these items can become deadly when they are easily accessible.

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Family members and other caregivers are very important to suicide prevention and can be involved in many ways. They can help increase the protective factors in a person's life-for example, by helping the person develop life skills and supportive relationships. They can also provide support during a suicidal crisis, encourage the person to seek and adhere to treatment, and help keep the person safe during periods of crisis.

​Learn More

See the Recommended Resources below selected by SPRC personnel.

See All Resources Related to Family Members and Caregivers (below) for a full list of materials, programs, trainings, and other information available from SPRC. Use the filters on the left to narrow your results.

For more on other settings and groups, see our Settings and Populations pages.

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Family members and other caregivers are very important to suicide prevention and can be involved in many ways. They can help increase the protective factors in a person's life-for example, by helping the person develop life skills and supportive relationships.

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Resources for Clinicians As mental health professionals, we know you are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to help individuals experiencing mental health issues. However, dealing with suicide, suicidal ideation, and teen or adolescent suicide can sometimes be a whole separate matter. Y…