Learn To Help Veterans In Crisis At Lacey, Waretown Libraries

LACEY, NJ — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and with suicide being the 13th-leading cause of death for veterans overall, and the second-leading cause of death among veterans under age 45-years-old in 2021 according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the Ocean County Library is offering training on how to help veterans in crisis.

Next month, both the Lacey and Waretown branches will welcome members of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System to teach ways to identify and assist veterans in extreme distress using their S.A.V.E. method. S.A.V.E is an acronym for Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage/Expedite.

The dates of the classes are:

• Lacey Branch – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River (609) 693-8566.
• Waretown Branch – 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 112 Main St., (609) 693-5133.

The U.S. VA New Jersey Health Care System operates 11 clinics throughout the state. The agency’s website contains information about each clinic and tools for health care self-management, medical appointments and more. New federal policy allows veterans in suicidal crisis to seek free emergency care at any VA or non-VA health care facility.

The program is offered for adults and seniors. Please register for either program at https://tinyurl.com/OclVASAVE. For more information, stop by or call either participating OCL branch, or visit the Library’s online Calendar of Events.