Get anytime access to mental health support with mobile apps

As we face physical distancing challenges alongside new anxieties, stresses, or even feelings of depression, accessing mental health resources remotely may be more important than ever before. To make sure Veterans don’t miss out on mental health care, VA has a number of ways Veterans can maintain their well-being no matter where they are, including mobile apps, self-help trainings, videos, and websites.

Mental Health Mobile Apps

Access mental health support wherever you are, whenever you need it! VA’s mental health apps can help you manage mental health symptoms and stress, learn to practice coping skills, and more. Listed below are descriptions of some of VA’s most popular mental health mobile apps.

• CBT-i Coach teaches users about sleep, let’s them track their sleep and take a sleep assessment, then guides them through the process of developing positive sleep routines.
• Mindfulness Coach provides tools to help users practice mindfulness meditation.
• Mood Coach for depression provides positive activity scheduling based on the principles of behavioral activation treatment for depression.
• Moving Forward teaches problem-solving skills, which can be used alone or in conjunction with problem-solving training.
• PTSD Coach provides information about PTSD and options for professional care, a self-assessment, opportunities to find support, and tools – all designed to help Veterans manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD.
• PTSD Family Coach is similar to the PTSD Coach, but it adds guidance for those whose family roles have changed since the onset of PTSD, including tips and information for self-care and for maintaining relationships, as well as ideas for helping a loved one get treatment.

You can explore more mental health mobile apps at www.mobile.va.gov/appstore/mental-health.

Online Self-Help

In addition to its wealth of mobile apps, VA offers many in-depth mental health resources online.

• VA’s mental health page features self-help tips, guidance for Veterans and loved ones as they start the healing journey, and information about specific mental health topics and conditions.
• Make the Connection offers Veterans, their family members, friends, and other supporters with information about issues affecting their lives. On the website, visitors can watch hundreds of Veterans share their stories of strength and recovery, read about a variety of life events and mental health topics, and locate nearby resources. Make the Connection also features a series of self-assessments and screenings and self-help strategies that can be used anonymously anytime, anywhere.
• Veteran Training is a self-help portal that provides tools for overcoming everyday challenges. The portal has tools to help Veterans work on problem-solving skills, manage anger, develop parenting skills, and more in an entirely anonymous environment. The free tools are based on mental health practices that have proven successful with Veterans and their families.

Telephone or Video Appointments

Veterans should maintain their existing mental health appointments — and may receive care at home — using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, Veterans can send their health care provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting myhealth.va.gov. Learn more about VA Video Connect at mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.

Crisis Support

If you are a Veteran having thoughts of suicide — or if you’re concerned about one — free, confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255, or chat online.