Mental health support for veterans and families

Reaching out is a strength, not a weakness. Here are the main ways veterans, service members, and their families can get mental health support — most of them free and confidential, and many available without a VA rating or enrollment.

Vet Centers — community counseling

Vet Centers offer free, confidential readjustment counseling — for combat stress, bereavement, and military sexual trauma, plus support for families. You don't need to be enrolled in VA health care or have a disability rating. Call the Vet Center Call Center any time at 1-877-927-8387 (1-877-WAR-VETS).

VA mental health care

The VA provides care for PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use, and more — including therapy and medication. If you're not enrolled yet, see how to enroll in VA health care. Mental health care for certain conditions (and all emergency mental health care) is often available even before enrollment is complete.

Military sexual trauma (MST)

The VA provides free care for conditions related to MST — regardless of your disability rating, how long ago it happened, whether you reported it, or your discharge status. You can ask for an MST coordinator at any VA facility.

Military OneSource (active duty, Guard & Reserve, families)

Military OneSource offers free, confidential non-medical counseling, financial coaching, and around-the-clock support at 800-342-9647 or MilitaryOneSource.mil.

If a claim is part of the picture

Mental health conditions like PTSD can be service-connected and rated. See our VA claims guide, and if toxic exposure is involved, the PACT Act guide. You never have to pay a percentage of your back pay to file an initial claim — accredited VSOs help for free.

This page is a resource directory, not medical advice or a substitute for professional care. In an emergency, call 988 (then 1) or 911. Sources: Veterans Crisis Line, VA Vet Centers, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Military OneSource.