VA News – For Veterans, it can be challenging to put themselves first but prioritizing their well-being is far from frivolous, and focusing on ones overall self helps strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors for suicide.
Protective factors are characteristics that can help offset risk factors like stressful life events and certain mental health conditions, including:- Access to mental health and substance use disorder care.
- Feeling connected to other people.
- Positive coping skills.
- Resilience.
So, what does this mean for you? It means increasing protective factors can help prevent suicide by promoting physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.
