How can I get mental health treatment and support as a Veteran/Active-Duty Military Member?

Veterans and active-duty military members have many strengths that encourage good mental health: resilience, teamwork, focus, drive, ability to act in high-stress situations, and a strong sense of value and purpose.

Military members also face unique stressors that can lead to poor mental health. They experience higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, and major depressive disorder (MDD) than the general population. Their mental health is also affected by physical health conditions like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

If you are a service member going through a mental health challenge, you are not alone. Mental health help is available, and recovery is possible. NAMI’s Veterans & Active Duty webpage provides an overview of common military member mental health concerns and helpful tips for staying well. The webpage also outlines important considerations for disclosing your mental health condition and seeking mental health treatment as a member of the armed forces. Additional resources for Veteran/active-duty military member mental health are included below.

Veteran & Active-Duty Crisis Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for Veterans if you or somebody you know is a military service member or a Veteran and are experiencing a mental health, substance use, or suicide crisis, call 988, then press 1 or text any word to 838255, or chat at Veteranscrisisline.net to be connected to a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free, confidential help. To receive support in another language, you must call 988, then press 1 and ask for a tele-interpreter in the language you speak.
Veteran Call Center provides an around-the-clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing readjusting to civilian life. This benefit is prepaid through the Veteran’s military service, and they can be reached at 877-927-8387.
Military Helpline can be reached 24/7 at 888-457-4838 or by texting MIL1 to 839863. They offer free, confidential crisis support for military service members, Veterans, and their families. Services are also offered in Spanish.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans can be reached 24/7 at 877-424-3838. They offer assistance for Veterans who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. Spanish interpreters are available upon request.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides support to family members who have lost loved ones to suicide to prevent family members from experiencing mental health crises. TAPS offers seminars, care teams, peer support groups, monthly online support chats, caseworkers, grief counseling and assistance with postsecondary education. The phone line is for emergency crisis situations and can be reached at 800-959-8277.

Understanding Veteran & Active-Duty Mental Health Care

TRICARE, a program funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) Military Health System, provides most medical and mental health services to active-duty service members. Visit TRICARE’s Mental Health Care webpage for information on emergency & non-emergency mental health care, covered treatments, mental health costs, and substance use disorder services.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides mental health care benefits to most Veterans and some active-duty military members. Visit the VA mental health services webpage to learn more about mental health care coverage and types of support available.

Veteran & Active-Duty Mental Health Treatment Resources

Code of Support offers free case coordination services for military members and their families to address challenges such as accessing earned benefits, medical and mental health issues, unemployment and underemployment, financial and housing insecurity, and finding respite care.
Military Health System inTransition Program is a free confidential program that provides specialized coaching and assistance for service members, National Guard members, reservists, Veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care when relocating to another assignment, returning from deployment, transitioning between active-duty and reserve component, preparing to leave military service, or any other time they need a new mental health provider or to connect with a provider for the first time. Service members can contact inTransition 24/7 by visiting the website or by calling 800-424-7877.
Military Health System Psychological Health Resource Center is available 24/7 for service members, Veterans, and family members with questions about psychological health topics. Military members and their loved ones can visit the website or call 866-966-1020 to connect with a trained mental health consultant for help accessing mental health care and community support resources in their local area.
Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Locator military hospitals and clinics often provide mental health services, including integrated mental health services with primary care clinics. Military members can contact their primary care manager to see if mental health treatment resources are available at their local military hospital or clinic.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Find Local Care webpage includes a facility locator, mental health resource locator, PTSD program locator, and vet center finder to help Veterans and their family find mental health care and support in their local community.
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) supports Veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001. WWP offers interactive programs, mental health workshops, and a broad offering of professional services that help Veterans manage mental health conditions including PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and more. Veterans and their family members must be registered with the Wounded Warrior Project to use their free services.

Veteran & Active-Duty Support Group & Emotional Support Resources

America’s VetDogs provides no-cost PTSD service dogs to Veterans, active-duty service members, or first responders who are living with disability caused by PTSD. They can be reached at 866-838-3647.
Objective Zero connects Veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers to peer support via voice, video, and text. They also provide free access to wellness resources like yoga and meditation.
Military OneSource offers free, confidential, short-term, non-medical counseling services for a wide range of issues including relationship conflicts, stress management, coping with loss, and managing deployments. You can reach Military One Source support 24/7 at 800-342-9647 or visit their website to chat instantly with a counselor. Military OneSource also offers free peer-to-peer consultations for military members to talk to peers who have shared similar experiences. Contact the number listed above or start a live chat with Military OneSource to schedule a peer-to-peer consultation.
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) offers small, warrior-led Peer Support Groups that connect Veterans with one another in their communities. The organization also offers WWP Talk – dedicated one-on-one emotional support for Veterans and their families. Veterans and their family members must be registered with the Wounded Warrior Project to use their free services.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Socials enhance communication and foster bonds among Veterans and others in the community. They are a place to meet friends, find resources, and have fun with other Veterans and community members. The VA website has resources for those interested in starting a Veterans Social in their community.

Caregiver Resources

NAMI Homefront / NAMI Homefront OnDemand is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and Veterans with mental health conditions. NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers, and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members of service members/Veterans with mental health conditions.
Military Onesource offers support for family members and caregivers of Veterans & active-duty military members. Call 800-342-9647 or start a live chat to get help navigating services, connect with experts in the military healthcare system, or receive emotional support. Services are available 24/7.
VA Caregiver Support Program offers a resourceful caregiver support platform providing information on available assistance including benefits and health, VA centers, a media room and other publications and resources. Spanish-language materials are available.
Veterans Families United is an all-volunteer organization that provides resources for Veterans and their loved ones. Their website has a large range of resources including a list of family support resources and a directory of Veteran resources in each state.

Veteran & Active-Duty Legal Resources

Stateside Legal provides legal help and information for military members, Veterans, and their families. Use Find Local Help feature to find legal organizations that help Veterans in each state.
The Veterans Consortium can be reached at 888-838-7727 and runs a global federal Veterans Pro Bono Program to represent Veterans unjustly denied benefits or compensation earned from military service. They accept calls in English and Spanish.

More Resources for Veteran & Active-Duty Military Mental Health

The NAMI Homefront education program includes an online directory of mental health resources and information on topics like crisis planning, treatment options, self-care, caregiver resources, and more. You must create an online account with NAMI Homefront to access the resources.
Code of Support PATRIOTlink provides a directory of vetted, direct, cost-free services for the military and Veteran community. A wide range of services are included such as health care and wellness, education, employment, legal, and more.
National Resource Directory is a comprehensive website for wounded, ill and injured service members, Veterans, their families, and those who support them. They provide access to services and resources at the national, state, and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Mental Health webpage links to a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the public. Common topics include Depression, Effects of TBI, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and PTSD.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veteran Training webpage offers free, confidential training on a number of topics including sleep issues, problem-solving skills, anger management, parenting, and more.

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Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264)

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Email: helpline@nami.org