The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is actively involved in the Oklahoma Governor’s Challenge, a statewide initiative aimed at reducing and eliminating suicide among Oklahoma's Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. This collaborative effort involves national partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, SAMHSA, the SMVF TA Center, and various states and cities. Our mission is to foster community partnerships, enhance access to care and resources, identify local gaps, and implement statewide initiatives to support those who have served. Governor Stitt, the first to sign the PREVENTS Proclamation, has uniquely combined the President’s Roadmap with the National Governor’s Challenge model, making Oklahoma a pioneer in these vital efforts. We appreciate Governor Stitt's commitment to prioritizing both initiatives in the state.

How does the Veterans Crisis Line support those overseas?

The Veterans Crisis Line's 9-8-8 number is part of SAMHSA's Lifeline network and is a toll-free service based in the Continental United States (CONUS), remaining active internationally. While some international calls may incur charges depending on the location and network provider, Veterans overseas can utilize the chat feature at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. If a Veteran prefers a phone call, they can request it during the chat, and a responder will call them at no cost. For active-duty personnel, the Veterans Crisis Line is accessible in Europe, Korea, Afghanistan, and the Philippines through specific numbers or DSN codes.

For active-duty personnel (VeteransCrisisLine.net/ActiveDuty.aspx) the Veterans Crisis Line is available in:

• Europe, call 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118.

• Korea, call 080-855-5118 or DSN 118.

• Afghanistan, call 00 1 800 273 8255 or DSN 111.

• Philippines, call #MYVA or 02-8550-3888 and press 7

Mental Health Minutes are carefully crafted intervals dedicated to supporting you on your journey towards achieving optimal mental health stability. By providing valuable insights, coping strategies, and resources, these moments are designed to empower individuals in navigating and managing their mental well-being. Through targeted guidance and support, the goal is to foster resilience, reduce the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, and cultivate a supportive environment conducive to overall mental wellness.