Veteran/Military Resources
Blue Star Families has developed a series of PSAs for active-duty military personnel and their families. View the entire series on BSF’s YouTube channel.
In recent years, veteran mental health issues have come to the forefront of the public consciousness, and with them the problem of veteran suicide. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is working with Veteran’s Administration across the state to address suicide prevention among veterans and other members of the military community.
This portion of our website offers the several resources for current and former members of the United States military and their loved ones. The most important being below. Use the menu to the right for additional resources. Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK, Veterans Press 1 For immediate crisis services, The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has founded a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors.
To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline. Staff members are specially trained to take calls from military veterans and its staffed 24 hours a day, everyday. While all operators are trained to help veterans, some are also former military personnel. All callers will be connected to most appropriate resources.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also has an extensive amount of resources on the website for veterans. Please link here to access the page which includes a 24/7 Live Chat option as well as a resource locator, enrollment and benefits information, etc.
Tennessee contacts for Veteran’s Administration Hospitals Suicide Prevention Coordinators:
Renee Brown | Memphis | (901) 523-8990, extension 5873 | renee.brown3@va.gov |
Paul D. Fisher | Murfreesboro | (615) 867-6000, extension 23926 | paul.fisher3@va.gov |
Leslie Murray | Tennessee Valley | (615) 873-6074 | leslie.murray@va.gov |
Pam Willis | Mountain Home | (423) 926-1171, extension 2837 | pamela.willis@va.gov |
Debbie Cohan | Knoxville | (865) 545-4592, extension 213 | debra.cohan@va.gov |
Kentucky contacts for Veteran’s Administration hospitals Suicide Prevention Coordinators:
Barbara Kaminer | Louisville | (502) 287-4011 | barbara.kaminer@va.gov |
Sandra Roe | Lexington | (859) 233-4511, extension 3233 | sandra.roe1@va.gov |
Tennessee’s local Vet Centers:
Chattanooga | 951 Eastgate Loop Road, Building 5700, Suite 300 | 37411 | (423) 855-6570 | (423) 855-6575 |
Johnson City | 1615A Market Street | 37604 | (423) 928-8387 | (423) 928-6320 |
Knoxville | 2817 East Magnolia Avenue | 37914 | (865) 545-4680 | (865) 545-4198 |
Memphis | 1835 Union, Suite 100 | 38104 | (901) 544-0173 | (901) 544-0179 |
Nashville | 1420 Donelson Pike, Suite A-5 | 37217 | (615) 366-1220 | (615) 366-1351 |
Normal working hours at all centers are 8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. In an effort to better serve veterans and family members, Vet Centers may provide services after normal work hours and/or on weekends upon request.
Online Screening Tools
This screening mechanism is sponsored by PsyCom Depression Awareness Group, anon-profit organization.
Screening for Mental Health’s Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (877) 877-3647
This screening system is offered by Screening for Mental Health, originator of National Depression Screening Day.
Online Resources
National Guard/Veteran Resources
Tennessee Veterans Suicide Prevention Task Force: