While national hotlines have long been available to individuals experiencing mental health crises, local organizations have stepped up resources to reach at-risk residents.

According to statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, about 22 veterans commit suicide each day across the nation.

Traumatic events experienced during wartime are a large contributor to this statistic, said Annapurni Teague, associate chief of staff for community-based outpatient clinic care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, or MDMC, in Houston.

“All of [the statistics show] higher instances over the years—not just the current population,” Teague said. “Older veterans from the Vietnam War and other wars are also [at risk].”

The Tomball VA Outpatient Clinic works with the VA center in Houston to connect veterans at risk of committing suicide with immediate help and additional resources near their homes, Teague said.

“Tomball has a mental health section—and we do see a lot of patients right there in the clinic—so they don’t have to drive all the way to Houston,” Teague said. “The Tomball clinic is a part of the bigger department and is served by the MDMC. We do have several psychiatrists, psychologists and programs to help with patient needs.”

“You see that kid walking by every day, and you know that there’s something wrong, but you don’t know what to do. This gives them the tools to ask, ‘Can I help you?’”

—Catherine Prestigiovanni, Tri-County Services strategic development director

Because the Tomball VA location has limited hours of operation, Teague said any emergency calls placed to the clinic outside of operating hours are rerouted to MDMC. An emergency hotline for veterans is also available.

In Montgomery County, Tri-County Services also works with individuals who have mental health problems and their families to prevent crises, Strategic Development Director Catherine Prestigiovanni said.

Because people with mental health issues may not always ask for help, providing family or friends with outreach resources is one of the most important steps in suicide prevention, Prestigiovanni said.

Clinicians and employees at Tri-County Services undergo training to give presentations within the community designed to teach residents to ask if someone needs mental health resources, she said.

One such program is Youth Mental Health First Aid, a national behavioral health course that teaches parents, teachers and those who work with children how to recognize and address potential mental health challenges.

“You see that kid walking by every day, and you know that there’s something wrong, but you don’t know what to do,” she said. “This gives them the tools to ask, ‘Can I help you?’”