If your mental health is affecting your relationships, well-being, or day-to-day life, VA can connect you with a treatment that’s right for you.
If you’re a Veteran and you’re concerned about your mental health, you’re not alone. Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) last year.
Maybe you’re feeling stuck or directionless after leaving the military, or maybe you’re having trouble sleeping or getting your anger under control. Maybe your family and friends are worried about your drinking or mood swings.
VA’s mental health services, including peer support, counseling, therapy, and medication, can help. If you’re unsure about reaching out or you aren’t sure where to begin, check out the information below and learn more about the process, including what steps you can take to access care, what types of care are available, and more.
Accessing Care
Whether you want to see a provider in person, use a video call from home, find an app to teach you day-to-day coping skills, or check in to a treatment center, there are many different ways to access mental health care through VA.
- In person – If you’re already using VA medical services, ask your primary care provider to help you make an appointment with a mental health provider. If you aren’t using VA services, you can contact your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center to talk about your needs and how to enroll.
- Telehealth – If in-person
care doesn’t work for you, VA offers telemental health options that don’t require you to visit a facility. You can get treatment via video or phone without leaving your home. Connect with local VA providers to learn about their telehealth options and schedule your appointment online. - Self-help tools – VA offers several different tools to help you support your mental health, such as mental health apps that can help you manage symptoms from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, learn to practice mindfulness, and more. VA also has Veteran Training, a self-help portal that provides tools for overcoming everyday challenges and helps you work on problem-solving skills, manage anger, develop parenting skills, and more in an entirely anonymous environment.
- Residential rehabilitation – This treatment, often referred to as inpatient residential or domiciliary care, provides comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services to Veterans with mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance use disorder. The program works to address medical concerns, as well as social needs such as employment and housing. Learn more about residential rehabilitation and how to apply.
- Peer assistance – Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through, and there are several ways Veterans can access peer support. The BeThere peer assistance program, in partnership with Military OneSource, offers support to Service members, their families, and transitioning Veterans up to 365 days after separation or retirement. Through this program, you can talk privately with peer coaches at 800-342-9647. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, Veterans can visit or call a Vet Center to get free individual and group counseling, or to talk with a fellow combat Veteran about their experiences. Find a Vet Center near you or call 877-927-8387 to connect. If you’d like to hear, watch, or read stories of other Veterans who have reached out for mental health support, check out Make the Connection, a website full of testimonials from Veterans like you.
Finding the Right Treatment
Many Veterans are self-reliant, strong, and determined to persevere on their own. These are valuable skills when serving in the military, but when it comes to your mental health, sometimes the greatest show of strength is to ask for help. If your mental health is affecting your relationships, well-being, or day-to-day life, VA can connect you with a treatment that’s right for you. Your VA provider will work with you to determine the right evidence-based treatments, medications, and therapies to meet your needs.
For many mental health
conditions, a combination of medication and psychosocial support and therapy offers the best opportunity for reducing symptoms. You can work with your provider to determine which treatment plan works best for you. It may include medication, talk therapy, family counseling, peer support, help with coping skills, or a residential program. Your care may also require something more specific, such as services specific to Women Veterans, family services, marriage counseling, and more. Treatment can take place in a variety of settings and formats.
You can explore evidence-based therapies and treatment options for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, the effects of traumatic brain injury, PTSD, military sexual trauma, schizophrenia, substance use, and more.
Getting Started
To access free VA mental health services right away:
- Call or walk in to any VA medical center day or night.
- Call or walk in to any Vet Center during clinic hours.
- Call VA at 877-222-8387.
If you’re not enrolled in VA health care, or if you’re worried about whether or not you’re eligible, don’t let that stop you from accessing the mental health care you deserve. Immediate, emergency mental health care is available to all former Service members, regardless of discharge status or enrollment. Reach out to VA for same-day services, or for immediate help during a crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 confidential support. Dial 988 and Press 1. All former Service members are eligible for one year of free mental health care, regardless of discharge status, and if you served in a combat zone, you are eligible for 5 years of free, high-priority care after separation. At Vet Centers, you can receive free, confidential counseling regardless of enrollment or discharge status. Learn more about accessing VA mental health services.
You don’t have to do this alone. If you feel anxious or depressed, if something just feels off, if you’re having nightmares about combat, or struggling to control your anger, get the support you deserve. Work with VA to figure out the best way forward.