What is the Governor's Challenge?
Suicide among Service Members and Veterans is tragic, frequent but, most important, preventable. The Illinois Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF) is developing and implementing state-wide suicide prevention best practices for SMVF.
To end suicides among Illinois Service Members, Veterans and their Families, we need to have sensitive conversations and not be afraid to speak up and raise awareness in our communities. When we all commit to showing up, building knowledge, and reaching out with compassion, we can save lives.
The Illinois Governor's Challenge is part of the Governor's Challenge and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among SMVF, a national effort that champions mental health support and preventative services. The Governor's Challenge and Mayor's Challenges is a partnership with the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For the Governor's Challenge, 52 states and territories are taking part in the challenge and are working to develop and implement state-wide suicide prevention best practices for SMVF, using a public health approach.
The Illinois Governor's Challenge is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Mental Health (IDHS-DMH) and the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA).
For more information about the national effort to prevent suicide among SMVF, visit: Governor's and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families | SAMHSA
Contact Us
For more information about the Governor's Challenge, contact us at DHS.DMH.GC@illinois.gov.
This is not a crisis line-if you are in crisis, dial 988 then press 1, or text at 838255.
