Scott Peebles wants to remove the stigma.

“Asking for help is not a sign of weakness,” said Peebles, a psychologist and suicide prevention coordinator at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

The VA instituted its suicide prevention program three years ago, and Peebles has been helping veterans at the Augusta VA since the program’s inception.

One component of Peebles’ job is to get his message out about the warning signs of suicide to community groups who deal with veterans and their families on a regular basis.

He speaks regularly at libraries and to civic groups. He’s provided information to veteran organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“I’m always looking at new outreaches,” he said. “We’d much rather prevent suicide that way than after an attempt.”

Another prevention point is through a national suicide hotline (800) 273-8255.

“This was set up a year or so ago,” said Peebles. “It is funded by the VA and staffed in New York.”

Calls to the hotline run a full spectrum of issues.

“Some are emergencies; some just have a need for information about services,” he said.

Information on the veteran is routed to the proper VA hospital; someone from the hospital is required to follow-up within 24 hours.

And the major part of Peebles’ work is done in the hospital setting, where inpatients considered at-risk for suicide have their charts marked so staff can watch them closely.

At the hospital, there are psychological reviews performed, and for those in need of services, there are intervention specialists and chaplain services.

Another approach is through the peer specialist program.

“They meet with patients about mental illness and substance abuse,” said Peebles.

The peer specialists have had their own battles with mental illness and substance abuse so they can relate to the veterans, he said.

“It’s been real successful,” he said.

To learn more about the program or to get information, call (706) 733-0188. ext 6010.