New Crisis Text Line For Veterans
Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential text-based counseling service. Anyone in need of help for any crisis can text START to 741-741 from anywhere in the U.S. at any time. It was initially made for teens, but military personnel and veteran users have jumped up 33 percent since 2014. Due to the high stress of their work environment, members of the military and veterans often report depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, sexual and physical abuse, financial problems and homelessness.
The Crisis Text Line staff includes both former and current members of the military who are there to help with any issues that may come up. Military members and their families should always have somewhere to go with their problems, and Crisis Text Line is a free, genuine place to do so.
Facts
Compared to civilian Crisis Text Line exchanges, conversations from military personnel and veterans have shown:
- 380 percent more cases of mental illness
- 310 percent more cases of sexual abuse
- 249 percent more cases of physical abuse
- 141 percent more cases of financial stress
- 133 percent more cases of work-related issues
- 127 percent more cases of housing and homelessness concerns
- 122 percent more cases of medical needs
- Most military conversations occur in the morning between 7-9 a.m.
- Crisis Text Line exchanges about 12,000 texts every day with military members and veterans
More On Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line provides a unique avenue for those who want to have a confidential conversation. Users can be anywhere doing anything without the people around them noticing they are reaching out for help.
All Crisis Text Line volunteers are required to pass a background check along with 34 hours of training. Only four of 10 volunteers are accepted after training. The volunteers who are committed have to work at least four hours every week. Within the 1,500 counselors in the program, several are a mix of veterans and active-duty troops in all branches of the military.
How You Can Help Veterans
If you don’t feel qualified to counsel in these intense conversations, you can still have a significant, helping impact on veterans. Donating your car, boat, RV, truck, trailer or motorcycle to Vehicles For Veterans is an easy way to benefit disabled and other veterans’ charities.
Almost 50,000 veterans are homeless, 30 percent of Iraq war veterans suffer from PTSD and 3.6 million veterans live with a disability connected to their service. Vehicles For Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that benefits these veterans. Plus, your hassle-free donation benefits you with a great tax deduction and free towing. Simply call 1-855-811-4838 or fill out an online donation form, and give back to veterans today!