There’s a lot going on right now and you don’t have to go through it alone. We invite you to view our #VetResources Check-In video series with resources, advice and information for Veterans and their families to support mental health, resiliency and coping strategies.

Veterans may be experiencing a range of challenging emotions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Veterans who served in U.S. military conflicts may be feeling emotional distress, as they are reminded of their deployment experiences.

Our goal is to provide you with an outlet for mental health support that is evidence-informed, dependable, accessible and valuable to help you cope with the world’s current events.

Resources:

  • Want to talk now? The Vet Center Call Line is available 24/7, call 1-877-927-8387.
  • Sign up for VA updates: VA.gov/VetResources.
  • Download the VA Welcome Kit at VA.gov/Welcome-Kit/.
  • Find a local VA at VA.gov/find-locations.
  • Download PTSD Coach App on Apple or Android.
  • Have a question for VA? 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) is available 24/7.
  • Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or text 838255.

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The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

8 Comments

  1. JP HULLER March 18, 2022 at 11:42

    I have become convinced that the VA really hasn’t a clue how to care for vet’s with PTSD. In the many years I’ve been to them the treatment hasn’t really helped or changed.
    When I first left the military PTSD wasn’t a diagnosis. I went to civilian therapists. They actually helped. They treated me and really tried.
    In the VA it is :

    1. Attend a workshop where vet’s sit and try to help each other because the VA facilitator either hasn’t a clue or is totally married to some method he/she learned in a workshop they attended as a student.
    2. Try these pills.
    3. Watch these videos.

    After you do every workshop, take every pill, watch every video, you go into some “maintenance” category where your MH provider is changed every few months and each just runs you through a series of set questions.

    Which since you have zero faith or trust in who’s asking you can, and I’m sure, many easily lie.
    Just for fun I think one day I’m going to answer every question “Yes.”

  2. Howard kranz March 14, 2022 at 16:40

    I am a vet that was raped aboard ship by 3 of my shipmates in the engine room of main control I was 19 years old a teenager first time away from home and the navy covered it up now at the age of 66 I can’t live with the shame I feel that I don’t do nothing about it at the time

  3. Scott March 12, 2022 at 11:48

    Pure noise. I am rated at 90%, 70% of which is for PTSD. Up till a few years ago I’d been able to get regular appointments to see a mental health clinician. But everybody at the VA is obsessed with metrics now. Since there were no measurable results from my appointments they would no longer be provided. I guess just staying alive isn’t measurable enough. Try this measurable result, the number of dead I could take with me when I do like so many other veterans have done when they’ve had enough of the VA bovine excrement.

  4. Ernest Drake March 10, 2022 at 17:24

    Thank you for the information keep up the good work

  5. Aileen Dodge March 10, 2022 at 10:18

    It isn’t just the VA that has a problem treating mental illness. Throughout this country, a majority of mental health professionals believe medication is the answer to EVERYTHING! This is so wrong! There is no such thing as a miracle drug for any mental health ailment. With medication, there should be Therapy. And not just so run-of-the-mill popular therapy that seems to be the therapy of the month either. To give an example of a mental health issue that is commonly treated with only medication and ZERO treatment. Think of Adult ADHD. This is often true with children and this learning disability too. They are given medication and not the proper therapy that will teach them to live a productive life with ADHD. A mental health ailment they will have all their life. For Adults, it is worse. And Veterans especially. If you are an adult with ADHD and you joined the service no one would ever pick up on that because military life is the perfect job to have with ADHD. It has the necessary structure and stability that is needed when a person has ADHD. However, the moment you leave this job or lifestyle your life can quickly become chaos. Now you try to get help for this ailment because you know exactly what it is. So the example would be a veteran who is honorable discharged and is 100% disabled. And is now looking for Mental health resources to treat the Adult ADHD they have. And they have been able to get the medication but the VA does not offer the services of a life coach or organization company to give the necessary therapy that will get this Veteran to be living a more productive and possibly independent life. Maybe making the veterans feel like they could contribute more to society by volunteering thereby really improving that Veterans overall Mental health! But as I said at the beginning of my comment this isn’t just a problem with the VA. Public Insurance companies do not recognize the proper necessary therapy for the treatment of ADHD. But It really would be something to see the VA be the first to take a step in the right direction by improving the lives of those Veterans who do suffer from Mental Health/ learning disability issues by providing the RIGHT THERAPY along with the Right Medication.

    • Clarence Davis MBA March 24, 2022 at 20:45

      Good comment. 100ptsd ets’d 2009. I speak to my counselor every two months. Still can’t get job. Whatever.

  6. Howard Covey March 9, 2022 at 20:19

    real help & wellness, Indiana, pa

    Please tell my story so others know.

    NOT MILITARY FRIENDLY
    I’m a 16yr vet. I have deployed twice. Some soldiers that wear my shoes function just fine, some struggle, and others sadly fall. All of us fight to some degree inside our own heads. Reaching out for help is so hard sometimes, but I did. I attempted to reach out to a Brittany hoover at real help & wellness. I set all my emotions aside faced the music and called her. I told her everything, I literally did the impossible. I was proud of myself. I couldn’t believe I had actually talked about it to a complete stranger, we set an appointment. Unfortunately I missed it, I failed. Once I could fit it back into my schedule I had started emailing her again trying to recover, and keep progressing positively. She charged me for the appointment I did not attend. I paid out of pocket in hopes of Brittany could see past the missed appointment. I scheduled 3 appointments, she canceled every one! After the third one she sent an email stating she no longer is accepting clients. I never felt so betrayed in my life from a professional that’s suppose to be fixing my mental status. She absolutely crushed my trust in her profession. Who listens to a combat vet for the first time spill his guts and after 1 mistake, MAKES HIM PAY FOR IT, THEN CANCELS HIM………………..BRITTANY HOOVER

  7. Steve Fray March 9, 2022 at 18:57

    I called the VA in Decatur asking if they could give me community care to see a Dr psychiatrist for some of my problems. No call yet.

Comments are closed.

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