5 Treatments for Suicidal Veterans & Where to Get Help Fast

Trigger warning: At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we discuss real experiences and meaningful mental health topics. Some of these subjects may feel sensitive or activating for certain readers. If you find this content challenging at any point, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to provide guidance and help you navigate your mental health with clarity and care.

The loss of a service member or veteran to suicide is a national tragedy that deeply impacts our military families and communities. When a veteran is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the impact reaches far beyond the individual. Families, spouses, children, friends and entire military communities feel the weight of that fear and uncertainty. Many military families have been touched by loss and sometimes, more than once. Suicide risk isn’t limited to veterans who have transitioned out of the military. Active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members also face real, rising mental health challenges.

An average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day, and suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among post-9/11 veterans. Nearly 1 in 4 active-duty service members report symptoms of a mental health condition, including depression, PTSD or anxiety, conditions strongly linked to an increased suicide risk.

Behind each statistic is a loved one: a parent, sibling, spouse, battle buddy or friend. When someone you care about is struggling, it can feel overwhelming, frightening and confusing. You may not know what to say or where to turn.

If you’re a veteran having thoughts of self-harm, or if you’re worried about someone you know, please know that your life is valuable, and help is available right now. Reaching out is the strongest step you can take. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.

5 evidence-based treatments for suicidal ideation in veterans

Suicidal thoughts aren’t a personal failure. They’re symptoms of significant emotional pain, often connected to treatable mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or chronic stress tied to military life. Mental health care for veterans has evolved significantly. Today, treatment is more personalized, more accessible and more responsive to the unique experiences of military life.

Leading treatment options recommended by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proven to help veterans experiencing suicidal ideation include:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, remains one of the most effective interventions for suicidal thinking, especially when delivered by providers trained in military and trauma-informed care.

Common evidence-based therapies include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (CBT-SP) — CBT-SP helps veterans identify harmful thought patterns, reframe beliefs and develop safety strategies.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) — DBT offers tools for crisis tolerance, emotional regulation and reducing impulsive behavior related to self-harm.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) — CPT and PE can be especially helpful for veterans with PTSD, which significantly increases suicide risk.

Research shows that veterans receiving trauma-focused psychotherapy have significant reductions in suicidal thinking compared to those receiving general supportive therapy.

Medication management

For many veterans, depression, anxiety, PTSD and mood disorders contribute directly to suicidal ideation. Medications can help stabilize mood and reduce dangerous symptoms.

Common medications include:

Antidepressants (SSRIs [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors] and SNRIs [serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors])
Mood stabilizers
Atypical antipsychotics (in certain clinical situations)

The VA strongly advises against benzodiazepines for PTSD or suicidal risk due to potential worsening of symptoms and dependence.

Medication isn’t a cure-all, but when paired with psychotherapy, it can be a powerful stabilizing force. A licensed and qualified medical professional should always supervise medication management, especially when symptoms are severe.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder that hasn’t improved with two or more medications. Over 80% of people with treatment-resistant depression respond to TMS, and many achieve full remission. Because depression is one of the strongest predictors of suicide, TMS can be a critical tool for veterans who haven’t found success with traditional treatments. TMS is also used in some VA settings and in VA-contracted community clinics, like our location in Hinesville, Georgia, near Fort Stewart.

Spravato®

Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray medication for:

Treatment-resistant depression
Major depressive disorder accompanied by acute suicidal thoughts

Spravato® must be given in a certified medical clinic by a health care professional who provides monitoring because it acts quickly on glutamate pathways in the brain. Spravato® has shown rapid reduction of suicidal ideation, often within hours or days, making it an invaluable option for veterans in immediate distress.

Inpatient or intensive outpatient care

If a veteran’s suicide risk is high, they may need a more structured program. Structured programs include:

VA inpatient psychiatric units
Community inpatient hospitals
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)

These settings offer immediate safety, 24/7 support (for inpatient care) and rapid treatment initiation.

No single treatment is right for everyone, but when veterans get the right combination of care, recovery is possible.

Where veterans can get help fast

When a veteran is in crisis, minutes matter. The good news is that several resources are available 24/7, and they understand the unique experiences of military service. Here’s where veterans and families can turn immediately:

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line service is always available, always free and confidential to veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists and their families.

Call or dial 988; then press 1 to speak directly with support.

Text or chat options are especially helpful for those who feel more comfortable writing rather than speaking.

Text 838255.

Chat online through the Veterans Crisis Line website.

Veterans or service members do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits to use this service. Family members do not have to be enrolled in TRICARE insurance to use this service.

Emergency rooms (any hospital)

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room. Many hospitals have psychiatric crisis teams that can stabilize and support the individual quickly.

Local VA medical centers and VA community clinics

Most VA hospitals have emergency mental health services and can connect veterans with crisis stabilization, therapy, medication management and specialized PTSD programs.

Psychiatry Treatment Centers is here to provide specialized care for veterans

Supporting a suicidal veteran is one of the hardest challenges a family or community can face, but healing is possible. Evidence-based treatments, compassionate providers and fast access to care can help save lives. Veterans don’t have to face this pain alone, and neither do their families. You fought for us; let us fight for you.

At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we proudly support veterans and military families through evidence-based care, including TMS, Spravato®, psychotherapy and medication management. Offering outpatient mental health treatment for nonemergent suicidal ideation, we work closely with VA clinics, accept TRICARE and CHAMPVA insurance, and serve communities across California and Georgia, including our location in Hinesville, GA, near Fort Stewart.

Reach out to our team by phone today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. You can also book your initial appointment online now.