Rutgers University News Release
PISCATAWAY, N.J., Nov. 22, 2013 – Vets4Warriors, a Rutgers
University-based 24/7 nationwide peer-to-peer support line for servicemen and
women is expanding its services to all active duty military service members and
their families, wherever they are located.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense Suicide
Prevention Office and operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care,
Vets4Warriors launched in December 2011 and, until now, was serving members of
the National Guard and all branches of the military reserves. The program
provides peer-to-peer support, referrals as appropriate, resilience case
management and outreach services to help overcome an individual's or a family's
daily challenges.
Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Jessica L. Wright, who visited the Vets4Warriors call center here Nov. 20, said
the expansion reflects the demonstrated value of Vets4Warriors.
"The peer support offered by Vets4Warriors is a great
benefit to the total force," Wright said. "I'm impressed with the
peer counselors' commitment, and as veterans themselves, they understand and
can really connect with callers."
Since its inception, the Vets4Warriors support line (toll-free
1-855-838-8255) has received more than 41,000 calls and conducted nearly 1,900
live online chats. The support line is staffed with 30 peers who are veterans
representing all branches of service and family members.
All calls to Vets4Warriors are confidential -- callers can
remain anonymous by request --- and the counselors often maintain regular
contact with a service member for weeks or months, or until a particular matter
is resolved.
The Vets4Warriors peer counselors help increase service members'
life skills, assist in improving their relationships at home or at work and
address stress management, adjustment issues, grief and loss, legal and
financial issues or other problems. The counselors also reach out proactively
to at-risk service members.
Although Vets4Warriors is not a crisis line, its peer
counselors are certified to respond to suicidal callers and will "warm
transfer" crisis calls to the Military Crisis Line.
"It is indeed a unique privilege to be in a position to
help the men and women who defend our country in the ways in which our peer
counselors do," said Christopher Kosseff, president and CEO of University
Behavioral Health Care. "We greatly appreciate the confidence the
Department of Defense has in our abilities."
As part of the new agreement with the Department of Defense
covering the expansion, Vets4Warriors, in addition to Live Chat, will add more
capability and outreach through social media.