Mental Health – Resources

If you or someone you know is dealing with mental health issues, find support with some of the following resources:

Sexual assault

• The Defense Department Safe Helpline is a crisis support service for members of the Defense Department community affected by sexual assault. It provides live, one-on-one specialized support and information.
• Available 24/7 from anywhere in the world, Safe Helpline is confidential, anonymous and secure.
• When survivors are ready, Safe Helpline staff will connect them to a Sexual Assault Response Team coordinator or a Sexual Assault Prevention & Response victim advocate.

Military Crisis Line

• The Military Crisis Line connects a person in need with a trained counselor by a single phone call or click of a mouse.
• This confidential, immediate help is available 24/7 and is free for active-duty, Coast Guard and reserve members, their families and friends.
• In the United States, call 988, then press 1, or access the online chat at the Military Crisis Line by texting to 838255.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

• USA Cares pays essential household bills while a wounded service member or veteran is attending residential treatment for a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Project Valour-IT provides voice-controlled laptops and personal GPS systems to service members recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury and PTSD.
• The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder provides research and education on trauma and PTSD with a mission to improve the well-being and understanding of individuals who have experienced traumatic events, with a focus on American veterans.

Traumatic brain injury

• The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence provides information and resources about traumatic brain injury. The center’s A Head for the Future initiative aims to raise awareness and lower the risk of concussion. The campaign offers information about the signs, symptoms and treatment of brain injuries and educates service members and veterans about how to prevent them.
• The Veterans Affairs Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury System of Care provides an integrated and coordinated continuum of specialized rehabilitation programs dedicated to serving eligible veterans and service members with both combat- and civilian-related TBI and polytrauma. The PSC either directly provides, or formally links with, key components of care that address the lifelong needs of individuals with impairments resulting from polytrauma and TBI.

Child abuse

• Your installation’s Family Advocacy Program will have a point of contact for child welfare and safety.
• Each state has its own civilian office dedicated to child services. A comprehensive list of contact information for each state can be found at the National Council on Child Abuse & Family Violence website.
• Help is also available through the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-799-7233.
• The Defense Department has a designated phone line, 877-790-1197, for reporting suspicions of child abuse in a DOD facility. For overseas help, call collect to 571-372-5348 (local charges may apply).

Domestic abuse

• The Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator will put you in touch with your installation’s Family Advocacy Program, which directly provides or coordinates a range of services for individuals and families impacted by abuse.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers phone and chat services to anyone who has been affected by relationship abuse, including those who are currently in abusive relationships, those who are working to heal, friends or family of victims and survivors, and anyone who has questions about domestic violence.
• Call 800-799-7233 24/7 or access a live chat from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Mental health conditions

• TRICARE is the health care program for military members and their families. The program is divided into two regions (East and West) and Overseas.
• The TRICARE Military Treatment Facility Locator is the locator tool for military treatment centers.
• The National Institute of Mental Health provides information on a variety of mental health topics and lists current clinical trials that allow persons to access treatment for free. Call 866-615-6464.
• The Psychological Health Center of Excellence website provides resources to support the psychological health and readiness of service members and their families.

Substance use disorders

• Free counseling services for alcohol and substance use disorders are available through the installation to service members and their family members.
• Contact your branch substance use disorder prevention program: Army Substance Abuse Program, Marine Corps Substance Abuse Program, Navy Drug and Alcohol Deterrence or Air Force Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Mental Health Information Center provides referrals to outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services.
• The center offers a Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to assist those seeking treatment facilities in the U.S. or U.S. territories for substance use disorder, addiction and mental health problems. Call 800-789-2647.

Department of Veterans Affairs mental health resources

The Department of Veterans Affairs mental health website provides information about mental health and support services specifically for veterans.

• VA Mental Health connects veterans and their families to mental health services. The program’s aim is to enable people with mental health problems to live meaningful lives in their communities and achieve their full potential.
• Vet Centers: These are community-based centers that provide a range of counseling, outreach and referral services to eligible veterans to help them make a satisfying post-war readjustment to civilian life.
• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: This hotline assists homeless veterans or veterans at risk for homelessness and gives them access to trained counselors 24/7.
• Make the Connection is the VA’s public awareness and outreach campaign. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about mental health symptoms, conditions and treatment.

Online screening tools

• Free, confidential online screenings for depression, PTSD and other conditions are available at Make the Connection: Self-Assessments.

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• The Department of Veteran Affairs website offers a broad range of information about post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment options, as well as a VA facilities locator. You may also call 802-296-6300.

National Resource Directory

• The National Resource Directory connects wounded warriors, injured and ill service members, veterans and their families with national, state and local support programs. The NRD is a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs.

Moving Forward

• Moving Forward is a free, online educational and life-coaching program that teaches problem-solving skills to help those in need better handle life’s challenges. It is designed to be especially helpful for veterans, service members and their families.

Non-medical counseling and support for stress

• The Military and Family Life Counseling Program offers free, short-term non-medical counseling when and where they are needed. Military and family life counselors can meet with service members, their families and survivors in person, on or off the installation.
• Military OneSource non-medical counseling is available in person, by phone, by secure online chat or by secure video chat. Non-medical counselors can help with a wide range of issues from marital conflicts and stress management to coping with a loss and deployments.
• Military chaplains provide confidential counseling among their other responsibilities. They are not typically licensed clinical counselors; however, they are prepared to help with many life challenges.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or access the online chat by texting to 838255.