Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Union Pacific railroad fined $7 million in 2 years ... SOPride president reacts to Orlando shooting: 'It's a dark day' ... What We Know: Orlando shooting deadliest on US soil ... Union Pacific railroad fined $7 million in 2 years ... SOPride president reacts to Orlando shooting: 'It's a dark day' ... What We Know: Orlando shooting deadliest on US soil ... Local veteran gets VA to upgrade suicide prevention hotline Comment By Local report MailTribune.com By Local report Posted Jun. 1, 2016 at 11:53 AM Updated Jun 1, 2016 at 11:54 AM By Local report Posted Jun. 1, 2016 at 11:53 AM Updated Jun 1, 2016 at 11:54 AM » Social News Pushed by a local veteran, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., says he has helped convince the Department of Veterans Affairs to create an easier phone system for veterans seeking suicide prevention help. Merkley visited the VA's Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City today to discuss the high rates of suicide among veterans and his role in helping push for the new direct connection for veterans. Merkley was joined at today’s event by Dan Davis, of Talent, who has been working for years to change the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide hotline to something easier for veterans to use. “None of our sons and daughters, friends and neighbors who survived combat overseas should be casualties when they come home,” Merkley said in a release. “We need to make sure that access to help for someone in crisis is as easy as it can be and today’s new suicide hotline by the VA will help connect veterans to care sooner.” Under the current VA system, when military veterans seek suicide prevention assistance, they call the local VA phone number and the recording refers them to a 1-800 suicide hotline number. Davis, who had spent years trying to get an easier system for veterans to use, contacted Merkley’s office earlier this year about the issue. Merkley’s office contacted the VA, which now says it has a new system in the works. Called Option 7, the system will give callers in the midst of a suicide crisis the ability to get help by pressing one number after dialing the VA. The new system will be in place at all VA facilities by the end of the summer, but in response to Davis’ advocacy on the issue, the White City facility will have the new system in place by this Friday. “We need to do much more to help our veterans who are struggling with mental illness and depression, but my hope is that this small change will help save lives,” said Merkley. “We would never leave our wounded troops behind on the battlefield and we can’t leave them behind here at home.” The Oregon Public Health department released a report in 2014 that showed that suicide is the leading cause of death among veterans under 45 years of age. The suicide rate is significantly higher among veterans than among non-veterans. By Local report MailTribune.com By Local report Posted Jun. 1, 2016 at 11:53 AM Updated Jun 1, 2016 at 11:54 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501