CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1

HBO Documentary Films

Presents

CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1 

DEBUTS VETERANS DAY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2013 at 9:00PM ET/PT

EXCLUSIVELY on HBO

Film Presented In Association With Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of America

Since 2001, more veterans have died by their own hand than in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, one veteran dies by suicide in America every 80 minutes. While only 1% of Americans has served in the military, former service members account for 20% of all suicides in the U.S.

Based in Canandaigua, NY and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line receives more than 22,000 calls each month from veterans of all conflicts who are struggling or contemplating suicide due to the psychological wounds of war and the challenges of returning to civilian life. Directed by Ellen Goosenberg Kent (“Wartorn: 1861-2013,” Emmy® nominees “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq” and “Talked to Death,” and Emmy® winners “How Do You Spell God?,” “I Have Tourette’s But Tourette’s Doesn’t Have Me”) CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1 highlights how its dedicated responders react to a variety of complex calls and handle the emotional aftermath of what can be life-and-death conversations. The film captures these extremely private moments, where the professionals, many of whom are themselves veterans or veterans’ spouses, can often interrupt the thoughts and plans of suicidal callers to steer them out of crisis. Hotline workers sometimes intervene successfully by seizing on the caller’s ambivalence and illuminating his or her reasons for living.

The HBO Documentary Film CRISIS HOTLINE: VETERANS PRESS 1 is presented in association with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; directed by Ellen Goosenberg Kent; produced by Dana Perry; edited by Geof Bartz, A.C.E.; supervising producer, Jacqueline Glover; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.