Epidemiology of Calls to the Veteran's Crisis Line, 2010

In 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs established a toll-free crisis line as part of a multi-faceted program to reduce the rate of suicide among Veterans. The primary objectives for the Veterans Crisis Line were to provide access to responders for those with history of military service or information about services for family and friend of those in distress. Implementation of the Veterans Crisis Line was supported by a large-scale media and awareness campaign promoting the toll-free access number and coincided with major clinical and service initiatives designed to address concerns about suicide risk among those with history of military service. Analyses of outcomes following a series of mass transit based media campaigns demonstrated statistically significant increases in call volume following implementation of public awareness efforts. The main objective of the current study was to describe the epidemiology of calls to the Veteran's Crisis Line during the 2010 calendar year. Data from this project were obtained from records of more than 102,000 calls to the Veteran's Crisis Line received between January 1, and December 31, 2010. Results from analyses of call data describe the prevalence of callers who endorsed thoughts of suicide, characteristics of substance use or drug-related events, call outcome, seasonal variation, changes in call volume related to day of the week and time of the day, and episodic spikes in call level. Results from analyses of call data will be presented with consideration of the program and policy implications of study findings.