Green Alerts added in Indiana to notify when a veteran is missing and at risk

FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Indiana now has a new alert system that is meant to help protect veterans who are at risk.

CEO of Helping Veterans and Families Emmy Hildebrand explains what a Green Alert is.

“It is added protection for veterans who are in crisis,” she said. “It will function a lot like an amber alert as it will notify law enforcement and the general public that a veteran in their area is in crisis.”

She said with suicide being the leading cause of death for veterans, Green Alerts could be a lifesaving addition.

“It is really important because we know veterans are more likely to face suicide than non-veterans,” Hildebrand said. “In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death for veterans, especially younger veterans. If we can give law enforcement the alert that a mental health professional is needed, I think we can help prevent catastrophic situations for our veterans.”

Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames said this addition was necessary because some veterans at risk may not ask for help.

“A lot of times veterans are very proud individuals as they served their country or went overseas,” Ames said. “Sometimes their pride gets in the way of them asking or reaching out for help. By them not doing that, legislators believed that this was a tool that could be able to locate them.”

Hildebrand said this is something we can give to them for keeping our country safe.

“Creating this alert is a recognition that we have asked these men and women to do extraordinary things on our behalf and they might face difficulty when they return home,” she said. “Knowing that we have safeguards that might potentially safe their lives, I think is really important.”

For 24/7, confidential crisis support, veterans or their loved ones can dial 988 and then press 1.

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