You are here
Military Mental Health
Mental Health America respects and appreciates current and former members of the military and provides information to help to break down the stigma of mental health issues among soldiers, veterans, their families, and medical staff to ensure that a greater number of military families receive the prompt and high-quality care they deserve.
Learn more about mental health and the military:
Military Members and Their Families |
Children of Military Members |
General Mental Health Topics |
Mental Health B4Stage4 |
| Being a Couple Again | Helping our Children Deal with Deployment | Addictions | Changing the Way We Think About Mental Health |
| Bereavement and Grief: Information for Military Families | Reconnecting with Your Children | Anxiety Disorders | |
| Coping with the Stress of Deployment | Helping Children Cope with Loss | Depression | Get Screened |
| Coping with War-Related Stress | Helping Children Cope with Tragedy Related Anxiety | Mood Disorders | Get Help |
| How to Get Back to "Normal" | Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | ||
| Returning to Work | Substance Abuse | ||
| When the Letdown Doesn't Let Up | Suicide |
Resources
Direct Services/Health Benefits
Online Screening Tools
PTSD
Military Families
Homecoming
National Guard and Reservists
Veterans
Parents
Domestic Abuse
Wounded Soldier Support
Childcare
Financial Issues
Loss of a Family Member
Direct Services/Health Benefits
TRICARE
(877) 874-2273 North Region
(800) 403-3950 South Region
(888) 874-9378 West Region
(888) 363-2273 Main TRICARE Information Service number
http://www.tricare.mil
TRICARE has three regional claims offices that can be contacted for information about healthcare benefits, including benefits for mental health and substance abuse services.
Deployment Health Clinical Center
www.pdhealth.mil/family.asp
The Deployment Health Clinical Center Web site offers a list of resources for service members and their families and a link to the Department of Defense Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (alcohol and mental health screening).
Department of Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov
The official Web site for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers information about benefits for returning veterans, those who have lost a loved one, health insurance information and facility locator to help find the closest VA Medical Center and the services it offers.
Vet Centers
www1.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military-related issues. Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family. The 207 community based Vet Centers are located in all fifty states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Use this link to locate your closest Vet Center.
Military OneSource
(800) 342-9647 (24-hour, toll-free number)
www.militaryonesource.com
• ARMY - "Army OneSource" 800-464-8107
• MARINES - "Marines OneSource" 800-869-0278
• NAVY - "Navy OneSource" 800-540-4123
• AIR FORCE - "Air Force OneSource" 800-707-5784
A Military OneSource consultant can provide a brief assessment and referral to mental health professionals across the country for six free counseling sessions.
Dept of Defense Helpline
(800) 796-9699
This is a deployment helpline at Walter Reed Medical Center.
Publication
Department of Defense Compensation Handbook: http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12270
Online Screening Tools
Free, confidential, online screenings for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, PTSD and other conditions are available at http://www.mhascreening.org, Mental Health America's screening service.
PTSD
Discussing Trauma and PTSD With Your Doctor
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/discussing-ptsd-with-doctor.asp
PTSD and the Family
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/assessment/trauma-symptom-checklist.asp
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(802) 296-6300
www.ptsd.va.gov/
This is a Web site sponsored by the Department. of Veterans Affairs that offers a broad range of information about post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment methods and has a VA facilities locator.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
(240) 485-1001
www.adaa.org
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America offers extensive information about anxiety disorders (including PTSD) in people of all ages, online self-screening tools, a searchable list of treatment professionals and support groups, information about clinical trials, a medication chart, on-line newsletter, personal stories, and an online bookstore.
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute
(888) 825-8249 (therapist referral)
www.sidran.org
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute offers extensive information online about PTSD, geographic lists of therapists with experience treating people with PTSD, and books, articles, and referrals to support groups. They also have information about self-injury.
Suicide Hotline
Phone: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
By calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 24 hour toll-free crisis hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), you are connected with a crisis center that can tell you where to seek immediate help in your area.
Witness Justice: for survivors of traumatic events
(800) 495-4957
www.witnessjustice.org
Witness Justice offers information to help survivors and their friends and family. Use keywords, “military families” or “war” in the search box to find materials on these topics.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
(888) 357-7924
www.healthyminds.org
The APA has information about a broad range of mental health topics. To locate a psychiatrist in your area, you can contact APA's Answer Center using their toll-free number.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
(866) 615-6464
NIMH offers information about a broad range of mental health topics, including PTSD, medications and listing of current clinical trials. Their initiative Real Men Real Depression offers information to help encourage men to seek treatment for depression.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center
(800)-789-2647
SAMHSA provides referrals to outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services. Their Web site has a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator to help you find substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment (combined treatment for those who have both a substance abuse and mental health problem).
Military Families
Army Community Service Center
www.myarmylifetoo.com
MyArmyLifeToo offers information and articles on various topics, such as home and personal safety, managing deployment and money management.
Military OneSource
(800) 342-9647 (24-hour, toll-free number)
www.militaryonesource.com
See description in above section.
National Military Family Association
(800) 260-0218
www.nmfa.org
The National Military Family Association educates military families about their rights and benefits. Their main programs are Spouse Scholarships (awarded to spouses to obtain professional certification or attend post-secondary or graduate school) and Operation Purple Camps (summer camps for military children).
Army Family Readiness Group
www.armyfrg.org
Family members can check their unit's Web site for up-to-date information and information about other families in the unit.
Marine Corps Community Services
http://www.usmc-mccs.org/
Find support programs, including deployment, relocation and transition.
Army Families Online
(800) 833-6622
http://www.armyfamiliesonline.org
Army Families Online staffs the Army Information Line from 8:00am to 4:30pm EST. They offer information and referral services for Army soldiers, civilians, retirees, veterans and families and address all issues and concerns. For mental health services, they refer to One-Source or for active-duty soldiers, they can connect them to their chaplain or someone in their chain of command.
MilSpouse.org
www.milspouse.org
The Military Spouse Resource Center provides information and resources to spouses of military personnel related to education, training and employment within the U.S. They also have a section on relocation resources.
Military Family Network
http://emilitary.org
Their mission is to support military families and increase their readiness and well-being by connecting them with their communities and the organizations that provide the best service and value.
Homecoming
Veterans and Families
www.veteransandfamilies.org
Veterans and Families provide information and resources to help homecoming Veterans and their families in their transition from military to civilian life. You will find links to online support groups.
Welcome Home: A guide to a healthy family reunion
http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/corppubs/welcome.pdf
National Guard and Reservists
Army Reserve Family Programs
(800) 318-5298 (Army HR Command)
www.arfp.org
The Army Reserve Family Programs offers homecoming and reunion resources, including tips and links to resources.
National Guard Family Programs
http://www.citizensoldiersupport.org/
The National Guard Family Programs offer information about programs, benefits, and resources, including family, youth and community outreach initiatives.
Citizen Soldiers Support Program
www.ribbonstoreality.org
Citizen Soldiers Support Programs works with local community agencies and organizations to address needs of Citizen Soldiers (including members of the National Guard and Reservists) and their families.
Veterans
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
www.iava.org/index.php
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America provides support through advocacy, education and fundraising (fundraising mainly for VA hospitals).
National Veterans Foundation
(888) 777-4443 (hotline) (9am-9pm PST)
www.nvf.org
The National Veterans Foundation is operated by veterans and helps veterans and families access the help they need, including suicide and crisis intervention and mental health/PTSD counseling.
AMVETS
(877) 7AM-VETS
www.amvets.org
AMVETS provides information, counseling and claims service to all honorably discharged veterans and their families concerning their benefits. They are also involved in community service programs and advocacy.
Vietnam Veterans of America
(800) VVA-1316
www.vva.org
The Vietnam Veterans of America is a support and advocacy organization.
Parents
Marineparents.com
(573) 449-2003
www.marineparents.com
Marineparents.com offers resources for parents, spouses, family and friends of Marines. They help connect families to each other via e-mail, chat rooms and message boards.
Your Soldier Your Army: A Parent's Guide
http://www.ausa.org/publications/ilw/ilw_pubs/specialreports/Pages/SR_CodyBook.aspx
Domestic Abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-SAFE (7233)
(800) 787-3224 (TTY)
www.ndvh.org/
Through this 24-hour hotline, you can speak with a hotline advocate. Hotline advocates provide support and assistance to anyone involved in a domestic violence situation, crisis intervention, safety planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers. A direct connection to domestic violence resources is available in the caller’s area.
Wounded Soldier Support
Military Severely Injured Joint Operations Center
(888) 774-1361 (24-hour hotline)
/www.militaryonesource.com
This Center offers assistance for severely wounded service members and their families by connecting them with various military and government agencies. They offer help with medical care, rehabilitation, education, employment, mental health counseling, and financial assistance and accommodation issues. They also offer regional ombudsmen/advocates. The Center is staffed with registered nurses, master's level researchers and counselors working as care managers who can answer questions and provide nationwide assistance.
National Family Caregivers Association
(800) 896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. They offer educational materials and links to other resources and support.
Fisher House
(888) 294-8560
www.fisherhouse.org
Fisher House provides housing and other supports so that family members can be close to wounded or ill service members. They also offer a frequent flyer donation program and a scholarship program.
National Amputation Foundation
(516) 887-3600
www.nationalamputation.org
This organization provides support for recent amputees, including in person peer support and phone support. They also offer donated medical equipment and printed information.
Blind Veterans Association
(202) 371-8880
www.bva.org
This organization offers support to blinded veterans via field representatives and peer to peer support for veterans and families. They also offer scholarship program for spouses and dependant children.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
(800) 424-8200
www.pva.org
The Paralyzed Veterans of America is an advocacy organization that also provides benefits information, social programs and sports and recreation programs.
Marine for Life Injured Support Program
(888) 774-1361 (24 Hour Injured Support Hotline)
www.m4l.usmc.mil
This program offers help with reintegration and transitioning from Marines to VA. They provide information about specific injuries, benefits and links to other agencies. Direct support is available via their toll-free number.
Navy Safe Harbor Program
(877) 746-8563
This program provides support and assistance to sailors injured after 9/10/01. They help with benefits information and retention or transition into civilian life.
Childcare
Financial Issues
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
(800) 881-2462
www.cgmahq.org/
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program offers financial counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance and other essentials.
Army Emergency Relief
(866) 878-6378
www.aerhq.org
Army Emergency Relief offers financial counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance and other essentials. It is usually handled via the local or base Army Emergency Relief officer. They also offer scholarship programs.
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offers financial counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance and other essentials. Please contact the nearest office for assistance.
VA Home Loans for Veterans
http://www.mortgageloan.com/veterans/
A guide to understanding the benefits of, types of, and eligibility requirements for VA Loans.
Refinancing Mortages for Veterans
http://www.refinancemortgagerates.org/refinance-mortgage-guide-for-u-s-veterans
This mortgage guide for veterans is offered as an educational resource for those interested in understanding the home ownership possibilities available through the Veterans Affairs Mortgage Loan Programs.
Loss of a Family Member
American Gold Star Mothers
(202) 265-0991
www.goldstarmoms.com
They are a non-profit membership organization for mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the military. They provide support and sponsor memorial programs and events.
Comfort Zone Camp
(866) 488-5679
www.comfortzonecamp.org
Comfort Zone Camp provides grief support weekend camps for children ages 7 to17 and offers special programs for children in military families.
Gold Star Wives
(888) 751-6350
www.goldstarwives.org
Gold Star Wives is a non-profit membership organization for people who have lost spouses in the military. They offer local chapters, memorial programs, support and benefit information.
Society of Military Widows
(800) 842-3451, Ext. 1005
www.militarywidows.org
The Society of Military Widows is a non-profit membership advocacy and support organization. They provide information about benefits, supports and networking via local chapters.
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
(202) 588-TAPS (8277)
www.taps.org
TAPS offers support for survivors: peer support as well as 24-hour crisis intervention. They also provide information about benefits and other services, survivor seminars, camps for children and have an online chat.
Returning to Work
Business and Professional Women/USA Business and Women's Professional Foundation
(202) 293-1100
http://www.bpwfoundation.org
This group developed Women Joining Forces, a program designed to help women veterans re-enter the workforce.
this page