May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance to honor the courage of millions of Americans living with mental health conditions, celebrate the loved ones and professionals who support them and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.
Prioritizing your mental health enables you to continue building memories with the ones you love by being there for them physically and mentally. There is no “right” path on your mental health journey because everyone’s experience is different.
Opening up about challenges is the first step to mental well-being. Those challenges might include feelings of loneliness, distress and anxiety, or a feeling that things won’t improve. Regardless of what you’re experiencing, you’re not alone. Seeking help is a sign of strength, just like seeking help for physical health.
Help is available
There are many resources available to assist Veterans through their challenges. VA’s MaketheConnection features Veteran stories about experiences that made a difference in their daily lives. Watch, read, and listen to Veterans and their family members share real stories of strength and recovery, find useful information and local mental health resources and explore ways to show your support.
In times of distress, Veterans can call 988 and press 1, text 838255 or chat online to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line. This free, 24/7, confidential resource offers support from trained professionals to anyone, including family members and friends of a Veteran.
Preventing suicide among all Veterans is VA’s top clinical priority. VA provides critical, life-saving care for Veterans in acute suicidal crisis, including former service members who were victims of sexual assault or harassment during military service.
VA will furnish, pay for or reimburse the cost of eligible Veterans’ emergent suicide care and treatment at a VA or non-VA facility. This includes ambulance transportation, related prescriptions, up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residential treatment and up to 90 days of outpatient care at no cost to Veterans.
Ending the stigma
Reducing mental health stigma is key to encouraging Veterans to get the help they need. Acknowledging the need for help takes courage, but it’s the first step toward healing. It’s ok to work toward improving your own mental health. It’s good for you and it empowers others to begin their own mental health journey.
Don’t wait—learn about ways to reach out for support.
Support and resources
Topics in this story
Link Disclaimer
This page includes links to other websites outside our control and jurisdiction. VA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of non-VA Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.
More Stories
Veterans can now navigate VA resources with confidence using the new VA Resource Navigator
In this episode of PTSD Bytes, integrated health psychologist Dr. Octaviana Hemmy discusses treatment for HIV and PTSD.
Black Lab Raisin reminds Veterans of life outside the hospital, brightens their lives with her endless capacity for joy.
Have to agree. Waited 6 months for my first appt and the Dr. was late. 2nd appt Dr. late again but we talked about nothing but how the scheduling system is messed up. Third appt VA canceled 20 minutes before it was suppose to start. Called back twice being told a Dr. would call me. That was 4 months ago. My general practitioner arranged an in house Dr. who has never bothered to call. Been 2 months now. My general practitioner did prescribe some pills that make me sleep all day so quit them and notified the VA. Working with a Vet Center counselor who is actually helping some because she actually seems to care. VA is no help at all, Getting ready to engage my tri-care Dr. Not sure what will happen there. Was hoping the VA would be better equipped at helping vets or at least show they care.
So on May 8,2023 I had a scheduled Mental Health virtual appointment with my Va Dr and they never joined the link and I am still waiting for her to call me back? I’m so tired of being forgotten
This is complete bullsht….i have been ignored and after the VA gave me a reason to have the need to ask for local mental health they ignored that too
Why do you lie…the 24 hour deal does not help and vets are not interested
Your liars wasting money promoting yourselves
Sooooo caring about the “stigma” associated with mental health treatment? Give me a break. I have no problems with people knowing about my mental health care. My problem is the stigma associated with the lousy performance of VA mental health professionals….or the lack thereof. Since I began getting mental healthcare with the VA, I have lost count of all the psychiatrists and therapists I have been assigned. They have retired, relocated, left the VA or just flat out quit scheduling appointments with me. And every time I go to a new therapist, it is like meeting a new stranger and having to start over again. It does not help the depression and anxiety from which I suffer to improve. In my opinion, the VA is pathetic in the area of mental health treatment. I could justify my opinion more, but that would be like starting all over again. I will say this…(disregard)
If the VA truly valued our mental health, they would pay the AGENT ORANGE Veterans 100% Service Connection. Instead of just delaying and delaying and DELAYING until the veterans die.
Another Program like the PACT ACT is just another DELAY TACTIC.
Your ideas for MH care before a crisis are a joke. Here, watch a few videos to make everything ok. Or follow this scripted CBT course that we can’t deviate from because the gov’t says so. Sorry there’s no actual weekly talk therapy offered were you can tackle multiple issues. Sorry, this VA doesn’t offer Stellate ganglion blocks or EMDR.
I actually got more MH help by accident from a Health Psychologist than the actual MH department provided in the past 10 years!
Sad.