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Las Vegas is one of seven cities chosen by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to participate in the inaugural Mayor’s Challenge to prevent suicide among service members, veterans and their families.

The goal of the Mayor’s Challenge is to eliminate suicide by using a comprehensive public health approach to suicide prevention. Last month VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin said, “Of the 20 suicides a day that we reported last year, 14 were not under VA care.” This presents unique challenges in reaching and treating these individuals in need, which this program seeks to address.

The VA health care systems within the seven selected cities will participate in a policy academy process that up until now has been available only to states and territories. The effort will focus on outreach, education and awareness.

The cities selected were invited based on their veteran population data, suicide prevalence rates and capacity of the city to lead the way in this first phase of the Mayor’s Challenge.

Teams from each of the seven cities will meet March 14-16, 2018, in Washington, D.C., to develop strategic action plans to implement in their communities. The teams will include collaborative groups of community, municipal, military and other stakeholders. The VA will provide technical assistance to support local efforts and to document outcomes and share strategies with other municipalities.

For more information on VA’s suicide prevention campaign, visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/bethere.  

For information on SAMHSA’s suicide prevention efforts, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/suicide-prevention

Veterans in crisis or having thoughts of suicide — and those who know a Veteran in crisis — should call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text to 838255.