Many Military Veterans Face Struggles After Their Service to the Nation Ends

August 31, 2026

State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky

Many Military Veterans Face Struggles After Their Service to the Nation Ends

Our nation asks a great deal of those who serve in the military. When they return home, however, some veterans face challenges that can persist long after their service has ended. For too many, those struggles can become a matter of life and death.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently held a Suicide Prevention presentation at American Legion Post 28 in Oak Orchard. “About 18 military veterans commit suicide every day,” said State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, who attended the event. “This is a silent crisis, and we need to do everything we can to stem it.”

One valuable tool to help achieve this goal is the VA's S.A.V.E. training—a free program designed to teach people how to recognize and respond when a veteran may be at risk.

S — Signs: Learn to recognize warning signs, such as hopelessness, withdrawal from family and friends, increased substance use, severe mood changes, or reckless behavior.

A — Ask: If you are concerned, ask directly: “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” The VA emphasizes that asking the question does not increase suicidal thoughts and can open the door to an important conversation.

V — Validate: Listen without judgment. Take the person's concerns seriously and let them know that their experiences and feelings matter.

E — Encourage and Expedite: Encourage the veteran to seek help and take steps to connect them with immediate assistance when necessary.

S.A.V.E. is simple, but its message is powerful: we don't have to be mental health professionals to help save a life. Sometimes recognizing a warning sign, starting a difficult conversation, and helping someone connect with appropriate care can make all the difference.

Veterans in crisis, as well as family members and friends concerned about a veteran, can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and veterans do not have to be enrolled in VA health care to use it.

Locally, veterans can find outpatient help at the Sussex County VA Clinic, 21748 Roth Avenue, Georgetown, or by calling 302-994-2511, ext. 34805

Additionally, the VA offers a free Safety Plan app to help individuals manage thoughts of suicide or self-harm. The app walks users through creating a custom, step-by-step action plan to use during a crisis. It can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Use this link for more information: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/safety_plan_app.asp

“We owe our veterans more than our gratitude,” Rep. Hilovsky said. “We owe them our attention, our support, and our willingness to act when they need us most.”