The Albany VA is working to fight against a deadly threat affecting many of our nation's armed service members and veterans: depression leading to suicide. They're laying out a plan to help push back and save lives in communities.

The VA is partnering with faith-based organizations to provide training to clergy members so they can better recognize a struggling veteran and help connect them to potentially life-saving services.

Tuesday morning, Stratton VA Medical Center's Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Joseph Hunter, hosted a training session for Salvation Army volunteers. He wanted to provide them with the tools to identify veterans who might be going through mental health crises, and ways to engage them in conversation and ultimately encourage them to seek care.

According to the VA, 20 veterans commit suicide everyday across the nation. Of that number, 14 of those individuals are not receiving care from a VA medical center. 

If you're a veteran struggling with mental health issues or you know someone who is, you can call the veteran suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.