NJ Vets2Vets, a five-year-old help line outreach effort, will offer one-on-one, online instant messaging counseling, group chat rooms for former soldiers and their relatives and video chats for "face-to-face" conversations with counselors.
The number for the help line is 1-866-838-7654
Full Article at: N.J. takes suicide prevention program for veterans online to reach more in need of counseling
Published: Wednesday, September 01, 2010, 8:30 AM
Tom Haydon/The Star-Ledger Tom Haydon/The Star-Ledger
PISCATAWAY — "From the earliest days of basic training, soldiers learn to do their jobs without complaint. Many come home from tours of duty with the same tough attitude.
"There are soldiers who will never, ever, ever access (Veterans Administration) assistance," said Linda Bean, whose son, Army Sgt. Coleman Bean, killed himself in his South River apartment in Sept. 2008, following two tours of duty in Iraq.
As the issues of suicide among veterans and service members gains national attention, a much-recognized state program to assist veterans is expanding to reach former military men and women and their families over the Internet.
NJ Vets2Vets, a five-year-old help line outreach effort, will offer one-on-one, online instant messaging counseling, group chat rooms for former soldiers and their relatives and video chats for "face-to-face" conversations with counselors.
"Feedback from our callers to the help line indicates that these additional options will increase the likelihood that they will contact us for assistance, and that’s our primary goal," said Chris Kosseff, CEO of the University Behavioral Healthcare division of UMDNJ that provides the outreach program.
"We know the work that goes on here with a modest staff and resources is work that saves lives," said Bean, who attended the conference with her husband, Greg Bean.
"Gene Allen, an Air Force veteran who flew missions in Desert Storm, is one of the veterans who staff the help line and respond to questions from veterans and their families on issues ranging from finance, education and housing to adjusting to civilian life."
The number for the help line is 1-866-838-7654.
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