Sheridan area coffee shops join VA in “Sticking It” to veteran suicide

Sheridan residents can help save a veteran’s life by picking up a sticker at a local Sheridan coffee shop and simply sharing it with someone they know. 

The campaign is an effort by the Sheridan VA Health Care System asking community members to help end veteran suicide.

“We know that statistically, 11 out of 17 veterans (64%) who die by suicide each day haven’t engaged with the VA at all,” said Kayla Stevens, with the VA’s Suicide Prevention team. “That’s why we know we can’t reach everyone alone. We need the help of community members reaching out to those Veterans who are struggling.”

According to the VA, to involve the community, the administration has offered local coffee shops the Wyoming-themed stickers that have the 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line information printed on them. 

Community members are invited to get one from a participating coffee shop, then save that information in their phone. Currently, the Sheridan participants are Andi’s Coffee & Bakery, Bison Union Co., The Coffee Shop at Mydland Market, Happy Camper, Java Moon, Mudslingers Drive Thru Coffee, and Welcome Market Hall’s – Up Café.   

The campaign appears simple on the surface, but VA Public Affairs Officer Kristina Miller said there’s one additional part, which she calls a “big ask.”

“There are instructions on the back of the sticker, which ask those who are comfortable doing so to share it on their own social media,” Miller said. “On their post, they would include #ReachOut2Me to encourage veterans they know who might be struggling, to reach out to them and we know that’s a big ask.” 

According to the VA, that step may be intimidating to many, but Stevens pointed out that the Veterans Crisis Line team is available 24 hours a day to help those individuals.

“While veterans who are struggling are encouraged to use the Veterans Crisis Line to talk to a caring, qualified professional, it is available to anyone concerned about their friend, family, or loved one who is a Veteran,” Stevens said. “It can even be anonymous.”

The professionals answering the Veterans Crisis Line, many of whom are also veterans, will help that concerned individual to either take the next steps or take the veteran’s contact information and reach out directly. The professional will then also notify the local VA suicide prevention team so a local person, like Stevens, will follow up with the veteran.

If you are concerned about a veteran now, the team asks that you don’t wait, reach out to them or contact the Veterans Crisis Line. The phone number is the same for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255, however by pressing “1” at the prompt, the caller will be connected to the Veterans Crisis Line. 

Additional avenues to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line include texting 838255, or via chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net. This site also includes additional information for veterans, family members and their friends.