veterans crisis line

What veterans crisis line does

The Veterans Crisis Line is a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, administered by the Veterans Health Administration, that provides free, confidential 24/7 crisis support to U.S. Veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families and friends. The service operates across three primary self-serve access channels: phone via the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Veterans dial 988 then Press 1, or the legacy 1-800-273-8255 number), SMS text messaging to 838255, and real-time online chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. No enrollment in VA benefits or health care is required to access any channel. The organization launched in 2007 with 14 trained responders in Canandaigua, New York, and has scaled to 1,100 trained responders across three call center locations, handling more than 10.1 million cumulative calls, 603,000 texts, 1.17 million chats, 2.0 million referrals to VA suicide prevention coordinators, and 461,000 emergency service dispatches as of July 2026.

The underlying technology is a multi-channel crisis support platform built on telephony, SMS, and web-based chat, with encryption and authentication controls to protect user information under HIPAA, HITECH, the Privacy Act of 1974, and FOIA. Complementary programs extend the care continuum beyond the initial crisis interaction: the Caring Letters Program (launched June 2020) mails eight nondemanding letters over 12 months and has reached more than 359,000 Veterans; the Peer Support Outreach Call Center provides Veteran-to-Veteran proactive follow-up; the Military Crisis Line offers dedicated international phone numbers across all six DoD Areas of Responsibility (NORTHCOM, PACOM, EUCOM, CENTCOM, AFRICOM, SOUTHCOM); and a Local Resources Finder and Self-Check Assessment support self-directed discovery and screening.

The business model is government-funded rather than commercial. The Veterans Crisis Line generates no revenue from end users, who receive all services free of charge, and is funded entirely through federal appropriations to the VA. There is no traditional ownership structure, no external investors, and no venture funding. Contractors may administer the service on the VA's behalf subject to the same privacy and security requirements. Outreach is conducted via a mix of organic social media (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube), downloadable outreach toolkits, referral partnerships with organizations including Make the Connection, Mental Health America, and Give an Hour, and integration with SAMHSA's National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network following the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020.

Name

veterans crisis line

Legal name

Veterans Crisis Line (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

Website

https://veteranscrisisline.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Veterans Crisis Line is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program providing free, confidential 24/7 crisis support to U.S. Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families via phone (988 then Press 1), text (838255), and online chat, staffed by 1,100 trained responders across three call centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Crisis Services

NAICS

Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crisis Support, Suicide Prevention & Acute Behavioral Triage Platforms (HLALAEAI), Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL), Crisis Stabilization Units & Psychiatric Emergency Services (HLAFACAH), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Crisis intervention services
• Suicide prevention hotline
• Veteran mental health
• Peer support outreach
• Crisis counseling support

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Crisis Support Services: The Veterans Crisis Line is a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA operates and funds the service directly. No revenue is generated from Veterans — all services (calls, texts, chats) are free to users. Contractors may act on behalf of the VA in administering the service, subject to the same legal requirements for privacy and security.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential, 24/7 crisis intervention service for U.S. Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families and friends. It provides immediate crisis support through three self-service channels—phone (988 then Press 1), SMS text (838255), and online chat—connecting callers with trained responders who deliver intervention and link them to local VA suicide prevention coordinators for ongoing care. Additional services include the Caring Letters follow-up program and the Peer Support Outreach Call Center staffed by Veteran peers.

Product overview

The Veterans Crisis Line is a single, unified crisis support service offering multiple access channels: phone (dial 988 then Press 1), text (838255), and online chat. These three core contact methods connect Veterans and their loved ones to trained VA crisis responders available 24/7, 365 days a year. Additional programs include the Caring Letters Program for ongoing mail outreach, the Peer Support Outreach Call Center staffed by Veteran peers, the Military Crisis Line with specific numbers for overseas personnel across DoD regions, and a Local Resources Finder tool. The service does not require enrollment in VA benefits or health care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Military Crisis Line: A free, confidential resource for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, offering support 24/7 through call, chat, and text.

Products and services

• Veterans Crisis Line Phone Support 24/7 free, confidential phone crisis support. Veterans and their loved ones dial 988 then Press 1 (or the legacy 1-800-273-8255 then Press 1) to connect with trained VA responders who provide immediate crisis intervention and connect callers with ongoing resources. TTY users dial 711 then 988.
• Veterans Crisis Line Text Support Confidential text messaging crisis support available 24/7. Users text 838255 to connect with trained VA responders who engage in a confidential text-based conversation. Users can text STOP at any time to end the conversation.
• Veterans Crisis Line Online Chat Real-time web-based chat available at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. A caring VA responder joins the chat to provide confidential crisis support, ask screening questions, and connect users with follow-up resources including local suicide prevention coordinators.
• Military Crisis Line A specialized branch of the Veterans Crisis Line for active-duty service members, National Guard, Reserve members, and Veterans, offering support 24/7 through call, chat, and text. Includes specific overseas phone numbers for each DoD Area of Responsibility: NORTHCOM (1-844-702-5493), PACOM (1-844-702-5493), EUCOM (1-844-702-5495), CENTCOM (1-855-422-7719), AFRICOM (1-888-482-6054), SOUTHCOM (1-866-989-9599). DSN 988 available on base.
• Peer Support Outreach Call Center A program staffed by trained Veterans who proactively reach out to Veterans Crisis Line callers who might benefit from additional intervention. Peer specialists provide empowerment, help reduce barriers to care, and offer guidance on self-help and goal setting.
• Caring Letters Program A continuing care initiative that mails 8 letters over 1 year to Veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Letters express caring concern, are nondemanding, reflect Veterans' unique preferences, and provide an opt-out option.
• Local Resources Finder

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 10.1 million calls, 603,000 texts, 1.17 million chats, 2.0 million referrals to VA suicide prevention coordinators, and 461,000 emergency service dispatches have been handled as of July 2026.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — Veterans Health Administration (VHA)coreOthers · 1 January 2007The Veterans Crisis Line is a program of the VA, administered by the Veterans Health Administration. The VA provides operational oversight, funding, and integration with VA medical centers and suicide prevention coordinators nationwide. Contractors acting on behalf of the VA are subject to the same privacy and security requirements as the VA itself.
• SAMHSA's National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 Lifeline)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Veterans Crisis Line's 800 number is partnered with SAMHSA's Lifeline network. The 988 number expansion was authorized by the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. Veterans and service members who press 1 after dialing 988 are routed to the same trained Veterans Crisis Line responders.
• VA Suicide PreventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Veterans Crisis Line connects callers with local VA suicide prevention coordinators (SPCs) at VA medical centers nationwide for ongoing care. More than 2.0 million referrals have been made to SPCs.
• National Call Center for Homeless VeteranssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are connected to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, which provides free, confidential support 24/7 without requiring VA enrollment.
• National Resource Directory (NRD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe NRD connects wounded warriors, service members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to national, state, and local services and resources. Referenced as an additional resource on the Veterans Crisis Line website.
• Make the ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA VA resource where more than 600 Veterans and family members share their stories of strength and recovery. Linked from the Veterans Crisis Line's Veteran Support page as a resource for those seeking peer stories and encouragement.
• Mental Health AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental Health America provides resources on mental health as a critical part of overall wellness. Listed as a partner resource on the Veterans Crisis Line's Veteran Support page.
• Give an HourminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGive an Hour provides free mental health services to Veterans, service members, and their loved ones. Listed as a partner resource offering free services, mental health literacy, and guidance on addressing barriers to care.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Behavioral Health Treatment Services LocatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAMHSA's confidential treatment locator tool allows Veterans to search by ZIP code for local treatment facilities focused on substance use and/or mental health issues. Listed as an additional resource on the Local Resources page.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (SAMHSA): The federally designated national crisis line operated by SAMHSA's grantee Vibrant Emotional Health; directly integrated with the Veterans Crisis Line because Veterans pressing 1 after 988 are routed to VCL responders. Closest structural peer for crisis-line operations at scale.
• Military OneSource: DoD-funded counseling and support resource for service members and families (active-duty, National Guard, Reserve); comparable as a federally funded, free 24/7 counseling/support entry point serving the same military and Veteran populations.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Large nonprofit providing mental health, physical rehabilitation, and support programs to wounded Veterans and their families; comparable as a major Veteran-specific nonprofit offering mental health and crisis-related programming.
• SAMHSA National Helpline: Free, confidential 24/7 federal information and referral service for substance use and mental health; comparable as a federally funded crisis/advisory line targeting overlapping populations (mental health and substance use crises).

Direct peers

• Crisis Text Line: Free, 24/7 text-based crisis support serving any U.S. resident; directly comparable in modality (SMS crisis triage), population served (general public vs. Veterans), and volunteer-staffed model.
• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: Another VA-administered 24/7 crisis hotline specifically for Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness; directly comparable as a VA-operated, free, confidential Veteran-specific crisis channel that cross-refers callers.
• Cohen Veterans Network: Nonprofit operating a national network of outpatient mental health clinics providing free mental health care to Veterans and their families; comparable as a Veteran-specialty behavioral health provider with direct-care service delivery.
• Stop Soldier Suicide: Nonprofit dedicated to preventing Veteran suicide through outreach, peer support, and clinical care navigation; highly comparable in mission (Veteran suicide prevention) and target population.
• Give an Hour: Nonprofit network of licensed mental health providers donating free mental health services to Veterans, service members, and their loved ones; comparable as a free, Veteran-focused behavioral health access channel and a listed VCL partner.
• Make the Connection: VA-administered site where Veterans and family members share stories of mental health recovery; comparable as a VA-owned peer-support and Veteran mental health resource linked directly from VCL's website.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/VeteransCrisisLine
• Facebookfacebook.com/VeteransCrisisLine
• Instagraminstagram.com/veteranscrisisline

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about veterans crisis line