Wife hugging a returning service member.

When a Veteran comes home, or their military service comes to an end, their support shifts from military comrades and superiors to family members and close friends. Frequently it is friends and family who are first to notice their Veteran having a tough time adjusting. If you haven’t served in the military yourself, it can be hard to know how to help–what to say, how to reach out.

VA has several programs that help family members provide support to their Veterans, like Caregiver Support, counseling at your local Vet Center, and an initiative that got started earlier this year: Coaching into Care.

Coaching into Care is a telephone service that provides assistance to family members and friends trying to encourage their Veteran to seek health care for possible readjustment and mental health issues. It’s a national phone service that places priority to linking Veterans with benefits and services available in their own communities.

Secretary Shinseki pointed out that

“Family members and friends may not know what to say to encourage their Veterans to seek much needed readjustment and health care. The Coaching into Care line will help them find the right words.”

If you think your Veteran friend or family member is having a difficult time and could benefit from readjustment counseling or mental health care, please utilize the Coaching into Care service: call 1-888-823-7458 or email CoachingIntoCare@va.gov .

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6 Comments

  1. Coaching Barcelona fan September 28, 2011 at 15:45

    Coaching into care means that you care for his wellbeing. Family members become like life coaches for the veterans. But the most important thing is to care with love and to listen.

  2. Jill Watts September 28, 2011 at 15:01

    We are a military family. I am a real estate agent for Keller Williams in Vancouver, WA. I would like to help vets find homes here in the Clark County, WA area. How can I best serve those who served America? Thanks! Jill

  3. Lynn cornelius September 28, 2011 at 14:08

    I think it would be swell if the Va could furnish cell phones to those coming home . That would help in finding a job for them and family

  4. Chris Hiler September 22, 2011 at 19:37

    I am a veteran of USFK and my tour of duty in Korea was a great experience. I am now a civilian and am beginning studies in the mental health field. My fist choice for a job would be a service such as mental health or suicide prevention call center especially geared towards veterans or sponsored by the VA. I can be reached at hiler8@gmail.com and I would welcome any feedback or information anyone may offer. Thank you!

    • chloe September 24, 2011 at 16:22

      Chris, I hope you have applied through the VA jobs website. There are many areas where VA is trying to expand its mental health services and several programs that support educational funding for employees.

  5. Jennifer September 22, 2011 at 14:25

    In my opinion is an excellent service, I hope that people who have a veteran closer, and not just familiiar one, but friends, neighbors and acquaintances. everyone will have to use the service

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