Deployment
Homefront Encouragement
Homefront Resources
Send us your stories!
MAKE THE CONNECTION seeks to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health treatment and support
This website offers over one hundred real stories from Veterans of all eras, genders and backgrounds explaining how they overcame their various post deployment challenges and improved their lives by seeking care. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Abandoned Spouse Hotline (Dongducheon, South Korea)
0505-730-3635
Helps women left stranded (intentionally and unintentionally) by their Soldier-husbands. Leave a message and your contact information in one of five languages (English, Korean, Spanish, Russian or Tagalog).
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Childhelp's approach focuses on prevention, intervention and treatment. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Childhelp's programs and services include residential treatment services, children's advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes, child abuse prevention, education and training.
Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE)
Troubled troops, veterans and family members have a round-the-clock, free resource for locating the help they need to deal with psychological health problems and Traumatic Brain Injury. The center is always staffed with trained, professional health-resource consultants.
Domestic violence resources for military families (Real Warriors)
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime regardless of their military service, race, ethnicity, education level, religion, gender or age. Although experiencing stress is common for service members and their families, it should never be used as an excuse to explain or justify domestic violence under any circumstances. Moreover, anger, alcohol, or drugs are never excuses for abuse. That is why members of every military family — including servicemembers, spouses, parents, siblings or other caregivers — need to be aware of the valuable resources available for anyone experiencing domestic violence.
Gulf War Veterans Hotline
1-800-796-9699
Just Wait (Military spouses)
Just Wait is a place for military spouses to read stories and view art created by other military spouses who thought about suicide and chose to wait. So often we feel trapped, and we think the only way out is to take full control of our lives by ending them.
But you have other choices. There is light beyond the dark. There is hope.
If you are thinking about committing suicide right now, call Not Alone’s crisis hot line at 1-866-781-8010. If you are ready to receive free and confidential counseling, email jenny@notalone.com.
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
1-877-4AID-VET 1-877-424-3838
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Hope Line
1-800-622-2255
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
National Veterans Foundation Hotline
1-888-777-4443
The National Veterans Foundation's mission is to serve the crisis management, information and referral needs of all U.S. Veterans and their families through management and operation of the nation’s only toll-free helpline for all veterans and their families.
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAIN)
1-800-656-4673
Rapid Response Support Line (Military Ministry)
1-800-444-6006
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program
Sexual assault support for the DoD family (Safe Helpline)
Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Helpline is a groundbreaking crisis support service for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline provides live, one-on-one advice, support, and information to the worldwide DoD community. The service is anonymous, secure, and available 24/7 — providing victims with the help they need, anytime, anywhere.
Specially-trained Safe Helpline staff provide help three ways: online, telephone and text message.
Suicide hotline
DO NOT GIVE UP! If you are contemplating suicide STOP! Your call is free and confidential.
VA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274
Veterans Crisis Line
Confidential text-messaging is available 24 hours a day by texting 83-8255. Trained professionals will provide free mental health support, referrals and advice for military members, former service members and their families via texts.
Toll-free crisis line from Europe is 0800-1273-8255, or 118 from a Defense Switched Network line.
The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline and online chat. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or chat online to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Wounded Warrior Resource Center
1-800-342-9647
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Hidden Wounds
Hearing someone talk about suicide can be distressful and upsetting. You want to help him or her stay safe and get professional treatment. But you may not be sure how to help, whether you should take talk of suicide seriously, or if your intervention might even make the situation worse....
One Couple's Story (Family of a Vet)
If you know a military veteran, love a military veteran, or work with military veterans, this is something you should read. It is important to pay attention and watch for symptoms and danger signs regarding suicide. The Family of a Vet website is a great resource for those struggling with PTSD and those who love them.
Operation Reach Out - A free military suicide prevention mobile app
Military Community Awareness-Digital (MCA-D) introduces Operation Reach Out, a smartphone app aimed at preventing suicide among military personnel and veterans. Developed by a team of suicide prevention experts, under the supervision of the primary author, Lawrence Shapiro, Ph.D., the app is available free on the iTunes App Store and the Android Market.
Operation Reach Out is designed to:
- Encourage people to reach out for help when they are having suicidal thoughts.
- Help those who are concerned about family members, spouses, or fellow service members who may be suicidal.
- Provide a personal contact help center.
- Provide activities to help people who are depressed stay connected to others.
The Wingman Project
The goal of the Wingman Project is to reduce suicides among military members and their families, particularly Air National Guard, through human outreach, hard-hitting media, and training. Each state has its own Wingman Project, accessible from the national site at wingmanproject.org.
The Project offers three tiers of training including brief online or live orientation, a hour certificate training, and a train the trainer offering. These are available for all ANG members and their families.
The Wingman Project is also developing outreach efforts for each state including posters, cards, and other efforts to remind members and their families about WMP and its offerings.
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Do you have questions about counseling? Military HOMEFRONT has a Frequently Asked Questions about Counseling programs and services.
Here are some military (and non-military) counseling options:
Coaching Into Care
Coaching Into Care works with family members or friends who become aware of their Veteran’s post-deployment difficulties—and supports their efforts to find help for the Veteran.
This is a national clinical service providing information and help to Veterans and the loved ones who are concerned about them.
Coaching Into Care offers Veterans and their loved ones these services:
- Encouragement and information about getting an evaluation and services
- "Coaching" with family members or friends to help motivate Veteran for evaluation/consultation
- Referrals to services for veterans and their family members
Coming Home Project - California
The Coming Home Project's psychotherapist cohort is composed of licensed and trained psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists who vounteer their services. Our psychotherapists receive state-of-the-art training and the support of ongoing peer consultation. We offer psychological counseling in Northern California to family members of military personnel who are serving, preparing to serve, or have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. We also provide information and referral services for those living outside Northern California. If you are a spouse, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, child or teenager, sibling, parent, grandparent or other extended family member of a soldier, you are eligible. We also serve veterans of OIF and OEF, including Active Duty, Reserve and Guard. Services are free and completely confidential and there is no limit to the number of sessions.
The stress of reintegrating into civilian and family life after service can be daunting. The strains of preparing for a loved one to deploy, having a loved one deploy and be in country, and welcoming a loved one back after service can take their toll. Our therapy can help provide a safe place for veterans, service members and families alike to speak about their experiences, be recognized and listened to, and develop new ways to cope with the feelings, changes and experiences that come up during these re-adjustments.
We do not handle emergency situations for those who are not already seeing one of our psychotherapists.
DSTRESS - A service of the Marine Corps
From the every day stressors of life to the stressors related to combat, stress can affect even the strongest Marine. The DSTRESS line was developed by the Corps to provide professional, anonymous counseling for Marines, attached Sailors, and families when it's needed most. Call today to speak with one of your own.
Focus on the Family (non-military)
You can call Focus on the Family and speak with a family care specialist Monday-Friday 6:00 AM-8:00 PM MT for free counseling and advice from pastors & counselors. If you need someone to talk with or need help during a difficult time in your life - this is an excellent resource! 1-(800) A-Family (232-6459)
Give an Hour
Free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and their families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hidden Wounds
Helping heroes battle the invisible war at home.
The mission of Hidden Wounds, a non-profit organization headquartered in Columbia, SC, is to provide temporary counseling and support to military personnel afflicted with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other such mental ailments until such time as the Veteran’s Administration or the Veteran’s Affairs agencies are prepared to deliver long term services to our clients through government programs.
Home Again: Veterans and Families Readjustment and Reintegration Initiative
(The Bronx, New York)
Home Again: Veterans & Families Readjustment and Reintegration Initiative provides free mental health services to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families in New York City. Our project supports OIF/OEF veterans and their families through individual and family counseling, group therapy, creative arts therapy, and community outreach and education. Services are free!
We hope this program could serve as an additional resource to those veterans and their families that feel they could benefit from mental health services and perhaps have not accessed them through the VA or Veterans Center.
For more info about our program or to schedule an appointment, please call at (646) 957-0853 or email HomeAgain@jbfcs.org.
in Transition
Are you a service member in transition?
Are you concerned about your mental health treatment?
Have you received new orders? Are you looking at an upcoming change in status, relocation or return to civilian life? If so, and if you are currently receiving mental health care, transferring to a new provider can be easy.
Sign up for the inTransition Mental Health Coaching & Support Program.
Contact inTransition and you will be assigned a personal coach who will support you as you move between health care systems or providers. He or she will:
- Coach you one-on-one as you go through your transition.
- Connect you with your new provider.
- Empower you with tools to continue making healthy life choices.
All inTransition coaches are skilled counselors. They understand today’s military culture and issues. They understand and respect the importance of your privacy. They are with you every step of the way.
Just Wait (Military spouses)
Just Wait is a place for military spouses to read stories and view art created by other military spouses who thought about suicide and chose to wait. So often we feel trapped, and we think the only way out is to take full control of our lives by ending them.
But you have other choices. There is light beyond the dark. There is hope.
If you are thinking about committing suicide right now, call Not Alone’s crisis hot line at 1-866-781-8010. If you are ready to receive free and confidential counseling, email jenny@notalone.com.
Lutheran Social Services (Minnesota)
Free, confidential and caring professional support is available for Veterans, military members and their families.
The LSS C.O.R.E. Program (Case Management, Outreach, Referral & Education) is offered statewide. We help your craft an individualized plan of action to access a broad range of wellness services:
- For individuals: Draw upon your own strengths to deal with situations of all kinds: anger and stress management, feelings of guilt, sadness or depression, fear or anxiety, intimacy issues, addictions, financial counseling, and more.
- For couples: Supportive counseling services for couples dealing with stress, anxiety, intimacy, or communication issues within their unique relationship.
- For children: Specialized “strength-based” counseling, including play therapy, to help children, parents and caregivers identify and improve the child's or adolescent's well-being.
- For families: Deployment and reintegration support, debt management and bankruptcy counseling, respite care and caregiver support, family counseling, and more.
Services are free and confidential. We strive to remove all barriers to help you receive the support you need. If necessary, we can take care of co–pays and deductibles. If your situation is complex or your access to service locations is limited, we can come to you or provide in–home care.
C.O.R.E. is a joint partnership with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS). Office locations are available throughout Minnesota with LSS Masters degreed or licensed mental health counselors offering flexible services when and where you need them most. Services are confidential and free. Call us, we're here for you! 1-888-881-8261 (anytime)
Lutheran Social Services (Nebraska)
At Ease - Trauma treatment and therapeutic support for active military, veterans and their loved ones. The At Ease program provides confidential, individualized counseling services for active military personnel, veterans and their loved ones. All veterans and their loved ones will be accepted regardless of ability to pay.
Lutheran Social Services (Northwestern Ohio)
Lutheran Social Services provides effective, high-quality family, individual and group
therapies focused on the unique issues experienced by Military Service Members,
Veterans, and their loved ones.
Military OneSource
Military OneSource offers three kinds of short-term, non-medical counseling options to active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families.
Military OneSource counseling services are designed to provide service help with short-term issues such as adjustment to situational stressors, stress management, decision making, communication, grief, blended-family issues, and parenting-skills issues.
All returning Soldiers can contact the Military OneSource and register for a free account. You will receive free confidential counseling (up to six sessions) in the civilian community. In the U.S. call 1-800-342-9647. International: Access code + 800-3429-6477. Por Espanol llame 1-877-888-0727. Korea dial DSN 550-2769.
Military Pathways
Military life, especially deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That’s the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary self-assessments.
These questions are designed so you can review your situation with regard to some of the more common mental health issues. The screening will not provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a professional. But, it will tell you whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition or concern that would benefit from further evaluation or treatment. It will also give you guidance as to where you might seek assistance.
New Directions - Operation Welcome Home
Operation Welcome Home – Services and Assistance
Resources available to veterans and family members
- Individual/Group Counseling
- Family Counseling
- Case Management/Advocacy
- Education about veteran issues, including VA benefits, Military Sexual Trauma, Brain Injury, PTSD and other mental health issues,
- Legal Support
- In-house and Outside referrals
- Medical
- Advocacy & support
- Medical Services referrals
- Substance Abuse
- Out/Inpatient Drug counseling and/or 12-step meetings
- Referral to other treatment programs
- Family Support Services
- Family Reunification/Family Activities
For more information about Operation Welcome Home, please contact Ed Gonzalez at (310) 397-5185.
For services in the San Fernando Valley visit:
OWH Veteran Support Center14015 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite EPacoima, CA 91331Phone: (818) 899--9873Drop-in services available Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment.
Returning Vets Project - Free counseling for returning veterans and their families (Oregon, SW Washington)
To Returning Veterans
- We recognize that returning to civilian life can be full of both physical and psychological challenges. Our providers have volunteered to give you the care you need to come all the way back home.
To Active Duty Military Personnel, Reservists, and National Guard Members
- An upcoming deployment or redeployment can be extremely stressful as you face unknown challenges and separation from loved ones. Whether before your deployment or while you're on leave, our providers are ready to serve you.
To Military Family Members and Survivors
- Having a loved one deployed for military action is one of the hardest things a family can face. Here at the Returning Veterans Project, we want to support you before, during, and after their war-zone service. In addition to professional adult therapists, we also have specialists in children's, couples and family therapy to help you.
Salvation Army Homefront War Relief
The Salvation Army will support the families of troops, separated from their spouses and/or parents, with financial assistance for meeting basic human needs, along with problem-solving casework, counseling and other supportive services. The Salvation Army is committed to nurturing the spirits of all those affected by the war. Families of reservists, National Guard men and women and active duty military may need extra help in meeting basic home and family needs during deployment. Funding has been made available through a grant from the Lilly Foundation awarded to National Headquarters for this initiative. This grant will make possible assistance above and beyond what is normally available through the Army’s family service and emergency assistance programs.
SOFAR - Strategic Outreach to Families of all Reservists
SOFAR is a unique and innovative program to aid the families and loved ones of army Reservists and National Guard deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.
Family members at home experience severe stress when coping with a loved one's deployment. While the stresses families face during deployment are well-known, the difficulties they encounter when soldiers return are often just as profound. Without treatment and support, this stress can lead to divorce, substance abuse, unemployment, behavior problems in children, and other related issues that can have a lasting impact on family life.
SOFAR:Strategic Outreach to Families of All Reservists is a pro bono, mental health project that provides free psychological support, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and prevention services to extended family of reserve and national guard deployed during the Global War on Terrorism from time of alert through the period of reunion and reintegration.
The Soldiers Project
We are a group of licensed mental health professionals who offer free psychological treatment to military service members (Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves and Veterans) who have served or who expect to serve in the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. We also provide treatment to members of their families and other loved ones. Treatment is conducted in our private offices. Our therapists are all volunteers and our services are entirely confidential. We do not report to any governmental agency.
TriCare Assistance Program (TRIAP)
Army offers 24/7 web based support for Mental Health. - The web-based TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) Demonstration began on August 1, 2009 in the United States. The purpose of this demonstration is to test the use of web-based technologies to:
- Deliver information and counseling services to our beneficiaries
- Determine if web-based technologies increases efficiency of identifying beneficiaries who need behavioral health care
- Identify behavioral health needs of our beneficiaries earlier
- Refer and get beneficiaries access to the appropriate level of behavioral health care more effectively.
TRIAP services are available to:
- Active duty service members
- Active duty family members (Children must be age 18 or older.)
- Beneficiaries using TRICARE Reserve Select
- Beneficiaries covered under the Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP)
Assistance counselors are available for confidential, private discussions about what's going on in your life, which may include:
- Stress management (work, family, personal)
- Family difficulties and pressures
- Family separations/deployments
- Relationships and marital issues
- Parent/child communication
- Self-esteem
TRIAP services cover short-term, non-medical issues. If a counselor thinks you would benefit from more comprehensive care, they can explain your options and help you get that care as part of your TRICARE benefit. You do not need a referral or prior authorization to use TRIAP services. TRIAP does not include medication management or financial counseling, and is not for emergency situations. For behavioral health emergencies, please call 911.
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Buddy to Buddy
A peer-to-peer outreach program that trains veterans to provide peer support and linkage to needed resources for service members and veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND). The Program was developed in partnership with the Michigan Army National Guard to meet the unique needs and challenges faced by Citizen Soldiers and Reservists.
Service Women's Action Network
Veterans Legal Services and Peer Support Helpline1-888-729-2089
1-888-729-2089Hours: 10am-6pm EST
What to expect:
- Please leave a message with your name and phone number; a caseworker will respond between 10am and 6pm EST Monday through Friday. Messages left on weekends or federal bank holidays will be addressed the following business day. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.
- This call will include a brief set of questions about your background, current situation and needs. Your information will be kept confidential.
- Work with the caseworker to identify your concerns and priorities, while deciding on healthy next steps.
- Most importantly, the call is at your own pace, within your comfort level. Your safety and well-being are our primary concerns.
Who will I be speaking with? Caseworkers are your peers who have experienced military cultural firsthand – from a woman’s perspective. Knowledgeable in connecting you to a variety of helpful resources and supportive services, they are trained to work with you to identify your needs and healthy next steps.
Benefits of the helpline:
- No one should have to struggle alone – use the helpline as a source of support.
- Get connected to free legal, mental health, or other supportive services.
- Join a growing community of servicewomen and women veterans who share your experience.
- Get more information about how SWAN is addressing the challenges facing servicewomen and women veterans – and how you can be an active part of these initiatives.
Texans Helping Texans (Grace Under Fire)
Grace After Fire has started the first Texas call-in service center for veterans and their families - Texans Helping Texans. All calls will be answered by veterans.
This is not a crisis line but rather another way that veterans can reach out and help each other. Help find a friend, a service provider that understands veterans, or find a peer group meeting of vets talking to vets.
Vets 4 Vets
Vets4Vets is a non-partisan organization dedicated to helping Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans to heal from the psychological injuries of war through the use of peer support.
Our primary goal is to help Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans understand the value of peer support and to regularly use peer support to express their emotions, manage their challenges and ease their reintegration into society. Our vision is that anytime a veteran needs to talk with someone who really understands, a local Vets4Vets peer support group is available at no cost. We envision Vets4Vets being a common name in the minds of all veterans as a place where they, and their comrades, can go to heal.
Vets 4 Warriors
24-hour peer support line 1-855-VET-TALK or 1-855-838-8255
Live chat and e-mail services also available.
Why Call Us?
We are here to help. We have all served in uniform for the United States Military. Some members of our staff have served in combat missions while others have served in supporting and peace keeping missions. However, we are all Veterans of the United States Military and we are all here to help the men and women who are currently serving or have served in the National Guard and Reserve.
While our mission is to serve military and Veterans, we are a separate organization outside of the military. We are also separate from the Veterans Administration. We don't discuss your calls with the military, the VA, or anyone else; your calls to us are completely confidential and, if you choose, you may remain anonymous.
Our staff will listen and not judge you for anything. If you want to just talk, we will support that. If you need some information, we can help you find it. Our deal is to partner with you on your quest and do our best to help you succeed.
Vets Prevail
In order to figure out what challenges you may be facing as a returning Veteran, we first need to get to know you a bit better. We start of by asking you some simple questions to help us understand your basic situation and the barriers you may be facing. We then drill down further, learning about your motivations and goals so we can build a detailed profile. Based on that profile, we structure a customized program that is just for you.
Your personalized program will allow you to:
- Work through a dynamic set of Interactive Lessons that help you learn about issues you may be facing and techniques and strategies to overcome them
- Work with Peer Coaches who will listen to you and help find solutions to any challenges you may be facing
- Ask questions and learn from other users just like you (all anonymously)
The program is easy to follow - we will lay out a number of "Levels" for you, and each Level will have several “To Do's" that you will need to complete to finish the Level. You will be guided along the way by your own virtual assistant, who will ask you questions, give you information and keep you on track.
You will also have access to our online Community. The Community is a place where you can ask questions anonymously and get answers from other users who have been there.
All the while, you will earn “Points” as you complete more and more of the Program. Once you get enough, the Points can be redeemed for "Rewards" like gift cards to restaurants and stores.
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Chaplain Care - Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
ChaplainCare provides chaplain and spiritual support to men and women serving in the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Website includes:
- ASK a question or request information
- TALK to a Chaplain
- PROVIDE feedback about this site
- Frequently Asked Questions
Website also includes prayers, devotionals, self-help tools, CREDO retreat information, and more!
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Battered Women's Justice Project's Military Advocacy Resource Network
The Military Advocacy Resource Network is a project funded by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to provide technical assistance, resources, and support for all advocates, military and civilian, who serve military and veteran families and work with victims of domestic violence/sexual assault/stalking and dating violence perpetrated by military personnel or veterans.
BWJP is developing a blueprint for an effective community response to the co-occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intimate partner violence (IPV).
Military Mental Health Screening Program (Military Pathways)
Military life, especially deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That’s the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary self-assessments.
These questions are designed so you can review your situation with regard to some of the more common mental health issues including, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, alcohol problems and more. The screening will not provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a professional. But, it will tell you whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition or concern that would benefit from further evaluation or treatment. It will also give you guidance as to where you might seek assistance.
Red Cross
The American Red Cross links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis.
Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross quickly sends emergency communications to deployed service members on behalf of their family. Military members can have peace of mind knowing that when they are on a mission, in training or stationed far from home-and leaving cell phones and emails behind-they are still connected to home.
Copyright Benita Koeman 2008 - 2012
resources
Military supporters, churches
Military chaplains
Organizations that support
Resources for
Encouragement
Military life
Free downloads for kids
Counseling, crisis help, suicide prevention for the military community
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