Veteran's Mental Health Resources
Vital Statistics
In recent years, veteran mental health issues have come to the forefront of the public consciousness, and with them the problem of veteran suicide. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is working with Veteran’s Administration across the state to address suicide prevention among veterans and other members of the military community.
The Network offers the following statistics and links as resources for current and former members of the United States military and their loved ones.
Vital Statistics
Key Facts about Veteran Mental Health and Veteran Suicide
How to Spot Warning Signs
Suicide Signs Unique to Vets
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Traumatic Brain Injury
Where to Get Help
Related Links
Specialized Help Topics
Vital Statistics
- The Army Suicide Event Report issued in August 2007 found that 99 suicides took place among active U.S. Army personnel in 2006. 30 of these deaths occurred among active-duty soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq . The Army suicide rate for that year was 17.3 per 100,000 people, in contrast to the 2001 rate of 9.1 per 100,000. The raw number of deaths had quadrupled since 2003, when 21 soldiers died by suicide at a rate of 13.5 per 100,000.
- The same report found that roughly one-quarter of the victims had at least one psychiatric disorder at the time of their death. 20% had been diagnosed with a mood disorder (bipolar disorder, depression, etc.) and 8 percent had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder—this last category includes post-traumatic stress disorder.
- During 2006, there were 946 reported suicide attempts within the U.S. Army according to Associated Press reports; no data is available for prior years.
- As of 2004, over 300 military personnel had been medically evacuated from Iraq due to mental health problems, according to Pentagon statistics.
- According to Dr. William Winkenwerder, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, 4,969 active service personnel died by suicide between 1980 and 2002. This number is more than the number who died as a result of hostile action, terrorist attacks, and homicides combined during this 22-year period.
- A 2007 CBS News investigation estimated that 6256 veterans died by suicide in 2005--an average of 120 a week—based on data provided by 45 states. The report put the veteran suicide rate at somewhere between 18.7 and 20.8 per 100,000. For veterans aged 20-24 (from the Afghanistan or Iraq campaigns), the rate came out to between 20.9 and 31.9 per 100,000, twice that of civilians in the same age group.
- Veterans were more than twice as likely to complete suicide in 2005 than non-vets.
Key Facts about Veteran Mental Health and Veteran Suicide
- Speakers at a 2007 U.S. Army web conference identified four factors commonly noted in veteran suicides: failed intimate relationships, occupational problems, legal problems, and financial difficulties.
- A 2007 Armed Forces Press Services report states that while researchers have not directly connected suicide to increased deployments, the strain such deployments place on personal relationships creates a significant risk factor.
- Marines are of particular concern to mental health professionals, as they typically enter the armed forces at younger ages with less life experience, and because this branch of the military adheres to a more rigid code of conduct.
- The United States Air Force launched a suicide prevention program in 1996, and according to a 2007 report from Air Force Print News, it has been credited with a 28% reduction in suicides within this branch compared to the previous ten-year span.
- A 2007 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that that veterans who were white, those with more than 12 years of education and those with activity limitations (after adjusting for medical and psychiatric morbidity) were at a greater risk for completing suicide. Veterans were twice as likely to die of suicide compared with non-veterans in the general population. The risk of death from ‘‘natural’’ causes (diseases) and the risk of death from ‘‘external’’ causes did not differ between the veterans and the non-veterans. Interestingly, male veterans who were overweight had a significantly lower risk of completing suicide than those who were of normal weight.
How to Spot Warning Signs
The mental health services page on the Department of Veteran Affairs
website provides the following warning signs:
- Talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
- Trying to get pills, guns, or other ways to harm oneself
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
- Hopelessness
- Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
- Acting in a reckless or risky way
- Feeling trapped, like there's no way out
- Saying or feeling there's no reason for living
For more on mental health services at the Department of Veterans Affairs, call the VA's suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press “1”.
Suicide Signs Unique to Vets
Experts on suicide prevention say for veterans there are some particular signs to watch for:
- Calling old friends, particularly military friends, to say goodbye
- Cleaning a weapon that they may have as a souvenir
- Visits to graveyards
- Obsession with news coverage of current military operations
- Wearing their uniform or part of their uniform, boots, etc., when not required
- Frequent talking about how honorable it is to be a soldier
- Sleeping more (sometimes the decision to commit suicide brings a sense of peace of mind, and potential victims sleep more to withdraw)
- Becoming overprotective of children
- Standing guard over the house; this may take the form of staying up while everyone is asleep staying up to watch over the house, or obsessive locking of doors and windows
- Stopping dosage of prescribed medication or hoarding medications
- Hoarding alcohol; this may include wine as well as hard alcohol
- Sudden spending sprees, buying gifts for family members and friends "to remember me by"
- Defensive speech: "you wouldn't understand," etc.
- Failure to talk to other people or make eye contact
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers a wallet card for consultation when someone around you is having suicidal thoughts.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder describes the problem this way: "PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening."
Anyone who has experienced a life-threatening event can develop PTSD. Situations capable of generating PTSD include but are by no means limited to the following:
- Wartime situations, especially combat exposure as either a combatant or civilian
- Childhood physical or sexual abuse
- Terrorist attacks
- Physical or sexual assault
- A serious accident (car accident, industrial incident, etc.)
- Natural disasters (fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquake, etc.)
There are generally four symptoms of PTSD consistent over all cases:
- Reliving the event
- Avoiding situations that remind you of the event
- Feeling numb
- Feeling "keyed up", always on alert and expecting danger
After a traumatic event, it is normal to feel frightened, angry, or disoriented. But if these feelings continue for an extended period of time or get even worse, disrupting your life to the point you have difficulty with everyday activities, you may have PTSD. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is working with local VA hospitals to address suicide prevention in their communities.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial disability or impairment. In civilian life, TBI is typically caused by vehicle crashes or falls in which the head abruptly stops moving and the brain smashes against the walls of the skull. But TBI is also common in active war zones as a result of explosions.
People with TBI often have problems with judgment, memory, planning, and decision-making. They may also suffer from headaches, seizures, or failure of motor skills. There may be behavioral or emotional effects, including but not limited to mood swings, sexual difficulties, increase or decrease in emotional affect, egocentricity, impulsivity, irritability, and reclusive tendencies. The effects of the injury may cause problems in employment and family life. Many TBI sufferers appear perfectly healthy, and the effects of the injury may not manifest until some time after the injury.
Resources on TBI are available elsewhere on this page.
Where to Get Help
Hotline for Veterans
Veterans who need help immediate counseling should call the hotline run by Veterans Affairs professionals at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press “1”, identifying themselves as military veterans. Staff members are specially trained to take calls from military veterans and its staffed 24 hours a day, everyday. While all operators are trained to help veterans, some are also former military personnel.
Veterans Affairs Health Benefits
This pamphlet details the benefits are available to veterans. Also, the Department of Veteran's Affairs Seamless Transition Home website provides information on services available to returning service members.
Clinical Care
To find the closest Dept of Veterans Affairs facility to you that has mental health professionals, go to the VA’s Facilities Locator and Directory and enter your ZIP code.
Tennessee contacts for Veteran’s Administration hospitals Suicide Prevention Coordinators:
Kentucky contacts for Veteran’s Administration hospitals Suicide Prevention Coordinators:
Tennessee's local Vet Centers:
City |
Address |
ZIP |
Phone |
Fax |
| Chattanooga |
951 Eastgate Loop Road, Building 5700, Suite 300
|
37411 |
(423) 855-6570 |
(423) 855-6575 |
| Johnson City |
1615A Market Street |
37604 |
(423) 928-8387 |
(423) 928-6320 |
| Knoxville |
2817 East Magnolia Avenue |
37914 |
(865) 545-4680 |
(865) 545-4198 |
| Memphis |
1835 Union, Suite 100 |
38104 |
(901) 544-0173 |
(901) 544-0179 |
| Nashville |
1420 Donelson Pike, Suite A-5 |
37217 |
(615) 366-1220 |
(615) 366-1351 |
Normal working hours at all centers are 8 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. In an effort to better serve veterans and family members, Vet Centers may provide services after normal work hours and/or on weekends upon request.
Related Links
Air Force Suicide Prevention Program
Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
(410) 671-4656
Army Behavioral Health: Suicide Prevention
Army Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline
(800) 984-8523
Marine Corps Suicide Prevention Program
Navy Environmental Health Center's Suicide Prevention site
(757) 953-0959
National Center for PTSD
(802) 296-6300
SAMHSA's National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255
TTY: (800) 799-4889
Specialized Help Topics
Direct Services/Health Benefits
Online Screening Tools
PTSD Resources
TBI Resources
Military Families
Homecoming
National Guard and Reserves
Veterans
Parents
Domestic Abuse
Wounded Soldier Support
Child Care
Financial Concerns
Loss of a Family Member
Returning to Work
Direct Services/Health Benefits
Department of Defense Helpline
(800) 796-9699
This is a deployment helpline at Walter Reed Medical Center.
Deployment Health Clinical Center
The Deployment Health Clinical Center Web site offers a list of resources for service members and their families and a link to the Department of Defense Mental Health Self-Assessment Program for alcohol and mental health screening.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The official Web site for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers information about benefits for returning veterans, those who have lost a loved one, health insurance information and facility locator to help find the closest VA Medical Center and the services it offers.
Military OneSource
(800) 342-9647 (24-hour, toll-free number)
• ARMY - "Army OneSource" 800-464-8107
• MARINES - "Marines OneSource" 800-869-0278
• NAVY - "Navy OneSource" 800-540-4123
• AIR FORCE - "Air Force OneSource" 800-707-5784
A Military OneSource consultant can provide a brief assessment and referral to mental health professionals across the country for six free counseling sessions.
TRICARE
(877) 874-2273 North Region
(800) 403-3950 South Region
(888) 874-9378 West Region
(888) 363-2273 Main TRICARE Information Service number
TRICARE has three regional claims offices that can be contacted for information about healthcare benefits, including benefits for mental health and substance abuse services.
Vet Centers
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military-related issues. Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family. The 207 community based Vet Centers are located in all fifty states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Use this link to locate your closest Vet Center.
Online Screening Tools
Depression Screening
This screening mechanism is sponsored by Mental Health America , formerly the National Mental Health Association.
Screening for Mental Health's Mental Health Self-Assessment Program
(877) 877-3647
This screening system is offered by Screening for Mental Health, originator of National Depression Screening Day.
PTSD Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
By calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 24 hour toll-free crisis hotline, you are connected with a crisis center that can tell you where to seek immediate help in your area.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
(240) 485-1001
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America offers extensive information about anxiety disorders (including PTSD) in people of all ages, online self-screening tools, a searchable list of treatment professionals and support groups, information about clinical trials, a medication chart, on-line newsletter, personal stories, and an online bookstore.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
(888) 357-7924
The APA has information about a broad range of mental health topics. To locate a psychiatrist in your area, you can contact APA’s Answer Center using their toll-free number.
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(802) 296-6300
This site sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a broad range of information about post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment methods and features a VA facilities locator.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
(866) 615-6464
NIMH offers information about a broad range of mental health topics, including PTSD, medications and current clinical trials. Their “Real Men, Real Depression” initiative offers information to help encourage men to seek treatment for depression.
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute
(888) 825-8249
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute offers extensive information online about PTSD, geographic lists of therapists with experience treating people with PTSD, and books, articles, and referrals to support groups. They also have information about self-injury.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center
(800)-789-2647
SAMHSA provides referrals to outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services. Their Web site has a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator to help you find substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment (combined treatment for those who have both a substance abuse and mental health problem).
Witness Justice: For Survivors of Traumatic Events
(800) 495-4957
Witness Justice offers information to help survivors and their friends and family. Use the keywords “military families” or “war” in the search box to find materials on these topics.
Publications
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Real Illness
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Discussing Trauma and PTSD With Your Doctor
PTSD and the Family
TBI Resources
Traumatic Brain Injury Program
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program was established by the Tennessee General Assembly to address the needs of persons with TBI, as well as their families and caregivers. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Health, it offers numerous materials including articles, books, videos, and a comprehensive resource directory. A toll-free number (1-800-882-0611) is available to give immediate information regarding traumatic brain injury to individuals all across Tennessee.
Brain Injury Association of America
(800) 444-6443
Founded in 1980, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the leading national organization serving and representing individuals, families and professionals who are touched by a life-altering, often devastating, traumatic brain injury (TBI). Together with its network of more than 40 chartered state affiliates, as well as hundreds of local chapters and support groups across the country, the BIAA provides information, education and support to assist the 5.3 million Americans currently living with traumatic brain injury and their families.
Brain Injury Association of Tennessee
The Tennessee chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America.
Project BRAIN (Brain Resource and Information Network)
(615) 383-9442
TTY: (615) 292-7790
A resource and training network for educators, families, and health professionals who work with students in Tennessee with TBI.
Brain Injury Resource Foundation
The mission of the Brain Injury Resource Foundation is to provide education, advocacy and support for persons affected by brain injury. Its library contains more than 1000 articles written by professionals and experts.
Center for Neuro Skills (CNS) TBI Resource Guide
Maintained by the Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), this page offers several electronic pamphlets and videos on TBI specific to veterans. It also maintains a running digest of relevant news items.
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)
The mission of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is to serve active duty military, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs. A unique collaboration of the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and two civilian partners, DVBIC develops and provide advanced TBI-specific evaluation, treatment and follow-up care for all military personnel, their dependents and veterans with brain injury, conducts clinical research that defines optimal care and treatment for individuals with TBI, and develops educational materials for the prevention, treatment of TBI and management of its long-term effects.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Though based in the San Francisco Bay area, this support organization for caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, ALS and related brain disorders offers valuable information and support for caregivers everywhere. Included are an online support group, caregiver consultation and question-and-answer service; fact sheets and reading lists; webcasts; a news bureau for reporters; and more.
Lash and Associates Publishing/Training
(919) 562-0015
Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc. specializes in information and books for the rehabilitation and treatment of brain injury, blast injury, PTSD, and concussion, as well as materials on adults and children with special needs and disabilities. Its tip cards, manuals, books and training programs on traumatic brain injury can be used in hospitals, rehabilitation programs, veterans services, schools, community agencies and at home.
Headinjury.com
Maintained by the Head Injury Hotline, this site provides information, education and support to foster self-advocacy and self-care centered in partnership with families and professionals. Included is information about brain injury; resources on doctors, rehab facilities, and lawyers; resources to develop your advocacy skills; and much more.
Perspectives Network
This organization focuses on "positive communication between persons with brain injury, family members/ caregivers/friends of persons with brain injury, professionals who treat persons with brain injury and community members in order to create positive changes and enhance public awareness and knowledge of acquired/traumatic brain injury." Its web site includes a message board, frequently asked questions, articles, reference materials, resource lists, a survivor art gallery, free e-mail service, and more.
TBI Chat
A peer support website for people living with brain injury, their families and friends to support each other by sharing their experiences. The site offers several message boards and chatrooms, as well as hundreds of topical brain injury links.
TBI-Net
TBI-Net is the web site of the Research and Training Center (RTC) on Community Integration of Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury, whose purpose is to "expand our knowledge of 'what works' to help people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in living their lives after injury." The site includes FAQs; a searchable database of TBI-related articles, advice, poetry, and creative writing from individuals with TBI; information about the RTC and its research activities.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems of Care are federally funded programs that focus primarily on developing and demonstrating a model system of care for persons with TBI, and maintaining a standardized national database for innovative analyses of TBI treatment and outcomes. There are 17 centers, each of which provides a coordinated system of emergency care, acute neurotrauma management, comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation and long-term interdisciplinary follow-up services. The web site includes general information about the systems, facts and figures about TBI, and related links. The Missouri Traumatic Brain Injury Demonstration Project is one of the TBI Model Systems and has developed a useful website that includes a "TBI" primer, FAQs, resources, links, personal stories, etc.
Military Families
Army Community Service Center
MyArmyLifeToo offers information and articles on various topics, such as home and personal safety, managing deployment and money management.
Army Families Online
(800) 833-6622
Army Families Online staffs the Army Information Line from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST. They offer information and referral services for Army soldiers, civilians, retirees, veterans and families and address all issues and concerns. For mental health services, they refer to One-Source or for active-duty soldiers, they can connect them to their chaplain or someone in their chain of command.
Army Family Readiness Group
Family members can check their unit's Web site for up-to-date information and information about other families in the unit.
Marine Corps Community Services
Find support programs, including deployment, relocation and transition.
Military Family Network
Their mission is to support military families and increase their readiness and well-being by connecting them with their communities and the organizations that provide the best service and value.
Military OneSource
(800) 342-9647 (24-hour, toll-free number)
Military OneSource offers information and articles on various topics, such as home and personal safety, managing deployment and money management. The site also includes combat stress resources for military families.
MilSpouse.org
The Military Spouse Resource Center provides information and resources to spouses of military personnel related to education, training and employment within the U.S. They also have a section on relocation resources.
National Military Family Association
(800) 260-0218
The National Military Family Association educates military families about their rights and benefits. Their main programs are Spouse Scholarships (awarded to spouses to obtain professional certification or attend post-secondary or graduate school) and Operation Purple Camps (summer camps for military children).
Publications
Advancing the Health of the Family left Behind
Coping when a Family Member Has Been Called to War
Coping With the Stress of Ongoing Military Operations
Families in the Military
Helping Children Cope During Deployment
Helping Kids Cope
Helping Our Children Deal With War
Homecoming
Veterans and Families
This site provides information and resources to help homecoming veterans and their families in their transition from military to civilian life, including links to online support groups.
Publications
Being a Couple Again
Courage to Care: Becoming a Couple Again
How to Get Back to Normal
Reconnecting With Your Children
Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Families
Welcome Home: A Guide to a Healthy Family Reunion
When the Letdown Doesn’t Let Up
National Guard and Reserves
Army Reserve Family Programs
(800) 318-5298 (Army HR Command)
The Army Reserve Family Programs offers homecoming and reunion resources, including tips and links to resources.
Citizen Soldiers Support Program
Citizen Soldiers Support Programs works with local community agencies and organizations to address needs of citizen soldiers (including members of the National Guard and Reservists) and their families.
National Guard Family Programs
(888) 777-7731
The National Guard Family Programs offer information about programs, benefits, and resources, including family, youth and community outreach initiatives.
Publications
Helping National Guard and Reserve Reenter the Workplace
How Communities Can Support the Children and Families of Those Serving in the National Guard or Reserves
Returning to Work
Veterans
AMVETS
(877) 7AM-VETS
AMVETS provides information, counseling and claims service to all honorably discharged veterans and their families concerning their benefits. They are also involved in community service programs and advocacy.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America provides support through advocacy, education and fundraising (mainly for VA hospitals).
National Veterans Foundation
(888) 777-4443 (hotline) ( 9am-9pm PST)
The National Veterans Foundation is operated by veterans and helps veterans and families access the help they need, including suicide and crisis intervention and mental health/PTSD counseling.
Vietnam Veterans of America
(800) VVA-1316
The Vietnam Veterans of America is a support and advocacy organization.
Parents
Marineparents.com
(573) 449-2003
Marineparents.com offers resources for parents, spouses, family and friends of Marines. They help connect families to each other via e-mail, chat rooms and message boards.
Publications
Domestic Abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-SAFE (7233)
(800) 787-3224 (TTY)
Through this 24-hour hotline, you can speak with a hotline advocate. Hotline advocates provide support and assistance to anyone involved in a domestic violence situation, including crisis intervention, safety planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers. A direct connection to domestic violence resources is available in the caller’s area.
Wounded Soldier Support
Military Severely Injured Joint Operations Center
(888) 774-1361 (24-hour hotline)
This Center offers assistance for severely wounded service members and their families by connecting them with various military and government agencies. It provides help with medical care, rehabilitation, education, employment, mental health counseling, and financial assistance and accommodation issues. They also offer regional ombudsmen/advocates. The Center is staffed with registered nurses, master's level researchers and counselors working as care managers who can answer questions and provide nationwide assistance.
National Family Caregivers Association
(800) 896-3650
The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships and life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. They offer educational materials and links to other resources and support.
Blind Veterans Association
(202) 371-8880
This organization offers support to blinded veterans via field representatives and peer-to-peer support for veterans and families. They also offer scholarship program for spouses and dependent children.
Fisher House
(888) 294-8560
Fisher House provides housing and other supports so that family members can be close to wounded or ill service members. They also offer a frequent-flyer donation program and a scholarship program.
Marine for Life Injured Support Program
(888) 774-1361 (24 hours)
This program offers help with reintegration and transitioning from Marines to the VA. They provide information about specific injuries, benefits and links to other agencies. Direct support is available via their toll-free number.
National Amputation Foundation
(516) 887-3600
This organization provides support for recent amputees, including in person peer support and phone support. They also offer donated medical equipment and printed information.
Navy Safe Harbor Program
(877) 746-8563
This program provides support and assistance to sailors injured after September 10, 2001 . They help with benefits information and retention or transition into civilian life.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
(800) 424-8200
The Paralyzed Veterans of America is an advocacy organization that also provides benefits information, social programs and sports and recreation programs.
Child Care
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
(800) 793-0324 x341
NACCRRA works with the Department of Defense (DoD) to help those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits their unique needs. For help finding a child care provider, contact Child Care Aware at (800) 424-2246 or at www.childcareaware.org. To reach the Military Subsidy department, call the number listed above.
Financial Concerns
Armed Forces Relief Trust
The main website for collecting donations for military relief organizations.
Army Emergency Relief
(866) 878-6378
Army Emergency Relief offers financial counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance and other essentials. It is usually handled via the local or base Army Emergency Relief officer. It also offers scholarship programs.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
(800) 881-2462
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program offers financial counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance and other essentials.
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society
The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offers financial counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance and other essentials. Please contact the nearest office for assistance.
Loss of a Family Member
American Gold Star Mothers
(202) 265-0991
A non-profit membership organization for mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the military. It provides support and sponsor memorial programs and events.
Comfort Zone Camp
(866) 488-5679
Comfort Zone Camp provides grief support weekend camps for children ages 7 to 17 and offers special programs for children in military families.
Families First Casualty Call Center
(866) 272-5841
This call center offers long-term assistance to those who have lost a loved one who was a service member. They provide information about Social Security, VA and death benefits.
Gold Star Wives
(888) 751-6350
Gold Star Wives is a non-profit membership organization for people who have lost spouses in the military. It offers local chapters, memorial programs, support and benefit information.
Society of Military Widows
(800) 842-3451, extension 1005
The Society of Military Widows is a non-profit membership advocacy and support organization. It provides information about benefits, supports and networking via local chapters.
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
(202) 588-TAPS (8277)
TAPS offers support for survivors: peer support as well as 24-hour crisis intervention. It also provide information about benefits and other services, survivor seminars, camps for children and an online chatroom.
Publications
Returning to Work
Business and Professional Women/USA Business and Women's Professional Foundation
(202) 293-1100
This group developed Women Joining Forces, a program designed to help women veterans re-enter the workforce.
Publications
Returning to Work
References: Associated Press, CBS News, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Operation Healthy Reunions, AAS, SPANUSA, National Lifeline, SAMHSA
