Roseburg VA educates during suicide prevention awareness month

Roseburg VA educates during suicide prevention awareness month

Month& and the roseburg v- a is using this time to emphasize the importance of mental health to its patients.

Kezi 9 news reporter evita garza shows us why staff are calling this month crucial& especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Evita:?as the pandemic hits its six- month mark in oregon, that means it been six months of isolation for many people... including veterans.

While this is helping slow the spread, staff here at the roseburg va say it taking a toll on veterans and their mental health?

Suicide prevention coordinator kurt rossbach says theye seen a 16 percent increase in calls to the va veterans crisis line since march& right around when the pandemic began.

But that why he says this month is crucial& to reach those who are really struggling and those who may not know where to get help.

Kurt rossbach, suicide prevention coordinator, roseburg va: rather than struggling with mental health issues by themselves, without any help, they can reach out they can call somebody."

In an effort to reach more veterans, rossbach says theye planned a number of events at the roseburg va for suicide prevention awareness month.

Plus, he says the suicide prevention team has increased its outreach to veterans& and theye doing it virtually with weekly check ins over the phone or through video chat.

He says they're making sure the veterans are still mentally stable and walk them through any issue they may have.?wee not going to wait.

Wee going to call that veteran and wee going to offer care and support and access to care right over the phone.

Evita:?on a special edition of kezi 9 news at 8, il dive deeper into some of the things the va had planned for suicide prevention month.

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