When veterans need a hand up for one reason or another, there are often many organizations – both public and private – that can help them out. However, many of these former servicemembers might not always know where they should turn, and a new hotline has been set up in Florida for that reason.
In Florida, residents can dial 2-1-1 to contact professionals who can help them in some way, and that line has been receiving calls from veterans in distress for years, according to a report from the Tampa Tribune. To that end, the new Florida Veterans Support Line – at 1-844-MYFLVET – has been set up to specifically help connect veterans to people who can help them. It's open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
"About two and a half years ago we were experiencing a significant call volume from vets," Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, told the newspaper. "Many times (they) would ask, 'Are you a vet? Do you know what I'm going through?'"
The more veterans can do to connect with people who are trying to assist them, the better off they're likely to be as they try to navigate the often difficult transition back to civilian life.